More than 94,000 vehicles from Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru are being recalled in the U.S. due to a serious safety issue that could compromise driver visibility. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), models including the Toyota bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra manufactured between 2022 and 2025 have a defect in their Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.
The problem arises from faulty HVAC control ECU software. Under specific conditions—such as a compressor failure mode—the system may enter failsafe mode, suspending heater operation and disabling defroster and defogger functions. This malfunction can prevent the removal of frost, fog, or ice from windshields, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents in low temperatures.
Affected Models and Free Fix
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Toyota bZ4X: Produced between March 30, 2022, and June 12, 2025
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Lexus RZ: Produced between January 23, 2023, and June 12, 2025
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Subaru Solterra: Produced between March 29, 2022, and June 3, 2025
NHTSA confirmed that no other Toyota, Lexus, or Subaru vehicles are impacted, as their HVAC systems operate under different software.
Dealers will update the faulty software free of charge, ensuring the vehicles’ safety compliance. Notification letters to owners are expected to be sent in October 2025. This recall underscores ongoing concerns about software reliability in modern electric and hybrid vehicles, where climate control systems play a critical role in both comfort and safety.
