The affected Toyota models include the Toyota Crown, Land Cruiser 300, Land Cruiser Prado, RAV4 and bZ4X manufactured and sold between 2022 and 2025.
Image: Supplied
Thousands of motorists across South Africa have been urged to take their vehicles to authorised dealerships after the National Consumer Commission (NCC) announced a series of vehicle safety recalls affecting Toyota, Lexus and Hyundai models.
The latest recall notices involve a combined 6,862 vehicles and relate to potential safety defects that could increase the risk of accidents if left unaddressed.
NCC spokesperson Phetho Ntaba on Thursday said Toyota South Africa Motors and Lexus South Africa Motors had issued product safety recalls affecting 4,858 Toyota vehicles and 1,667 Lexus vehicles sold nationally.
The affected Toyota models include the Toyota Crown, Land Cruiser 300, Land Cruiser Prado, RAV4 and bZ4X manufactured and sold between 2022 and 2025.
According to the supplier, the vehicles are equipped with a Parking Assist Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which forms part of the Panoramic View Monitor system used to display rear-view camera images when reversing.
Toyota identified a software issue in the Parking Assist ECU that may cause the rear-view camera image to briefly freeze when reverse gear is engaged shortly after the vehicle is started. In some cases, the image may fail to display altogether.
The recall of Lexus vehicles affects 1,667 units sold between 2021 and 2025, including the Lexus ES, GX, LC500, LX500/700, LX600/500d, NX, RX, RZ and LUX models.
Lexus reported that the same software issue may cause the rear-view image to freeze or not display when the vehicle is reversing. This could prevent drivers from having a clear view of the area behind the vehicle, increasing the possibility of a collision during reversing manoeuvres.
Consumers who own any of the affected Toyota or Lexus vehicles have been advised to contact or visit an authorised dealership, where a software update or repair will be performed free of charge.
The announcement follows another vehicle recall issued on Tuesday involving certain Hyundai Tucson NX4 N-Line vehicles.
The NCC said Hyundai Automotive South Africa is recalling 337 Tucson NX4 N-Line M1 Category vehicles sold in South Africa during 2023.
According to Hyundai, the affected vehicles may experience unintended emergency braking due to excessive sensitivity in the Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) system. The defect could pose a safety risk to vehicle occupants and other road users and may increase the likelihood of a collision.
Owners of the affected Hyundai vehicles have been urged to contact their nearest Hyundai dealership to arrange a front camera software update, which will also be carried out at no cost.
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