Toyota is recalling 30,978 model-year 2026 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrids because a software problem in the plug-in hybrid system can cut drive power at higher speeds. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published the recall, campaign 26V-659, after Toyota filed its safety report on Oct. 7. Toyota's own number for the campaign is 26TA22.
The affected SUVs were built between July 22, 2025, and Aug. 19, 2026. Toyota says not every vehicle made in that window was sold in the U.S., and only those with a specific version of software in the motor generator control unit are included. No other Toyota or Lexus models sold in the U.S. are part of this recall, the company told regulators.
What goes wrong
The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's electric motors are run by a motor generator electronic control unit, or MG-ECU, supplied by Denso. According to Toyota's Part 573 report, that unit may not finish its start-up initialization correctly. When that happens, the motor control mode used at higher speeds is unavailable.
When the SUV then reaches a speed that needs that mode, warning lights come on and the system either drops into a fail-safe mode or shuts down. A shutdown means a loss of drive power while moving at speed, which raises the risk of a crash.
Toyota traced the problem through a field report from Japan between June and August, in which warning lights came on and the vehicle could only be driven in front-wheel drive at limited speed. Bench testing showed the rear motor's start-up routine could fail under certain conditions. In mid-August, Toyota tested the front motor generators, which use the same control program, and found that the system could shut down entirely. The company decided on a voluntary recall on Oct. 1. As of Sept. 30, it counted 38 field technical reports and 58 warranty claims from U.S. sources that relate or may relate to the condition. The filing does not mention any crashes or injuries.
Recall 26V-659 at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid |
| Units | 30,978 |
| Built | July 22, 2025 to Aug. 19, 2026 |
| Part | Motor generator ECU (Denso, part G92A0-42460) |
| Fix | Free ECU software update at Toyota dealers |
| Owner letters | Nov. 22 to Dec. 6, 2026 |
Source: NHTSA recall 26V-659 and Toyota's Part 573 Safety Recall Report.
The fix and the timeline
Toyota dealers will update the ECU software at no charge. Dealers were notified on Oct. 7, and Toyota plans to mail owner letters between Nov. 22 and Dec. 6, 2026. Toyota's Oct. 7 announcement put the total at about 31,000 vehicles; NHTSA's record gives the exact count of 30,978.
Neither Toyota nor NHTSA has told owners to stop driving or park outside. The recall report leaves both of those consumer advisories unchecked.
What owners should do now
Check whether your SUV is included by entering its 17-digit VIN at toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls. Toyota notes that its recall lists are current only as of the filing date and can change.
Until the update is done, pay attention to the dashboard. In Toyota's testing, warning lights came on before the system went into fail-safe mode or shut down. If they appear, slow down, move out of fast traffic when it is safe, and contact a Toyota dealer. Toyota's Brand Engagement Center is at 1-800-331-4331, and the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline is 1-888-327-4236.
