On Friday, September 27, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the United States announced that Toyota Motor Corporation is recalling over 42,000 Corolla Hybrid vehicles due to a software error. This software error may cause a loss of power brake assist when the vehicle is turning.
The recall affects certain 2023-2024 models of Corolla Hybrid vehicles. NHTSA pointed out that there is a software error in the electronic control unit that manages the vehicle when it slips, which could lead to a loss of brake assist when the vehicle is turning.
The failure of the power brake assist device can increase the distance required for the vehicle to stop, thereby increasing the risk of collisions. When the driver presses the brake pedal while the vehicle is turning, in some cases, the hydraulic pressure may not be controlled as expected. The driver may temporarily feel a stiff brake pedal and reduced braking force, thereby increasing the risk of collisions.
The NHTSA mentioned in a report that the error in the anti-skid control electronic control unit can be rectified by dealers through a free software update.
The specific brake actuator components in the 2023 and 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrids come from the BhP factory of Robert Bosch GmbH in Germany, which includes specific anti-skid control electronic unit software.
In a report released on September 20, the regulatory agency stated that not all affected vehicles were sold in the United States. The report mentioned that other Toyota vehicles also have brake actuators provided by Bosch with similar software. Toyota is investigating whether the software issue affects these vehicles.
Owners of the affected vehicles will receive notification letters sent out between November 5 and November 19.