Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru recall nearly 21,000 EVs over battery ECU glitch that can cut power to the wheels

Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru are recalling nearly 21,000 electric vehicles in the U.S. due to a critical battery ECU software defect that can abruptly cut power to the wheels without warning. The recall covers 20,991 vehicles, including 11,495 Toyota bZ models, 4,739 Lexus RZs, and 4,757 Subaru Solterras, all built between April 2025 and April 2026. The issue stems from a memory conflict in the battery ECU’s integrated circuits, which can overwrite data in the same memory location.

Over time, this can cause the ECU to fail an operational check, leading to a complete shutdown of the electric drive system. While power steering and brake assist remain functional, propulsion is lost entirely. Drivers will first see an “EV System Malfunction” warning message along with multiple warning lights.

The defect was initially identified during development work on a plug-in hybrid model in 2025 but was thought unlikely to affect battery-electric vehicles due to different operating cycles. However, a review of remote diagnostic data in April 2026 revealed that under certain conditions—including increased CPU load at low battery state-of-charge—the memory conflict could still occur. Toyota’s testing confirmed that the malfunction could happen at any speed and might also impact systems such as the Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).

Despite one related warranty claim in the U.S. and no field reports of the issue, the automakers are urging owners to visit a dealer for a software update to address the defect. The recall highlights the growing risks associated with software-driven faults in modern EVs, where a single glitch can render a vehicle undriveable without warning.