Toyota RAV4 Prime can stall in cold weather

NHTSA campaign 23V041000 · Reported 2023-02-02 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

high How serious is it? About this label

A stall can happen while you're driving and increases the risk of a crash, so get the software updated as soon as you can — the notice does not tell owners to park the vehicle.

What's wrong, in plain English

In certain 2021 RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrids, the software that manages the hybrid system can misbehave in cold weather while you're driving on electric power. If you press the accelerator down quickly to speed up, the hybrid system may shut itself down and the vehicle stalls. Losing power like that in traffic is dangerous. Toyota dealers will install updated software for the hybrid control computer, at no cost to the owner.

What you should do

1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your RAV4 Prime is covered. 2. Contact a Toyota dealer or Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 (recall 23TA01). 3. Have the hybrid control software updated — the repair is free.

Affected vehicles (1)

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

Who to contact

Toyota — official Toyota recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-331-4331

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Toyota electrical recalls: fire risk, stalling and doors that pop open · all 17 Toyota recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT:POWER CONTROL UNIT/MODULE (HPCU)
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. During certain cold weather driving conditions, while driving in EV Mode, the hybrid vehicle control engine control unit (HEV ECU) software may cause the hybrid system to shut down if the accelerator is rapidly pressed to further accelerate the vehicle, resulting in a stall.
Safety risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HEV ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA01.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.