On Thursday, Toyota recalled 591,377 vehicles in the U.S. due to an issue with the instrument panel display. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall covers several models, including Highlander, Venza, Lexus, Camry, Tacoma, RAV4, and GR Corolla.
It is highly hazardous to drive a vehicle with a faulty instrument panel display, as it may fail to display crucial information, such as vehicle speed, fuel level, and engine temperature, as well as critical warning lights, potentially leading to accidents or further damage to the vehicle.
Not only Toyota, but Ford has also recalled over 355,000 vehicles due to instrument panel display failure. Let’s have a thorough discussion about the Toyota instrument panel display recall in the article below.
What Toyota Vehicles Are Affected in the Recall?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Toyota instrument panel display recall includes;
- 2023-2024 Venza, RAV4 Prime, RAV4, GR Corolla, and Crown
- 2024-2025 Lexus TX and LS, and Toyota Tacoma and Grand Highlander
- 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV4 plug-in hybrid, and 4Runner.
As we have seen, the RAV4 is also included in this massive recall. So, you can also check out my Toyota RAV4 years to avoid article to choose the right model.
What Caused the Issue With the Instrument Panel Display?
Toyota Motor Corporation hasn’t shared any reason behind the problematic instrument panel display. But several potential reasons are causing the issue.
- Blown Fuse: One of the most common reasons is a blown fuse in the instrument panel display, which can cut off its power supply, leading to complete failure.
- Loose Connections: Over time, the electrical connections become loose or corroded, disrupting power flow to the instrument panel display.
- Wiring Problems: Sometimes, there may be wiring problems due to any damage or corrosion, causing the failure of the instrument cluster.
- Burned Components: Over time, LCD screens, backlighting, and indicator lights can burn out, impairing the panel display.
- Faulty Instrument Panel Display: The instrument cluster itself gets defective due to internal defects.
- Problematic Vehicle’s Main Computer: Sometimes, there is an issue with the vehicle’s main computer, resulting in an instrument panel display failure.
- Battery Issues: Over time, a car’s battery becomes weak or corroded, which can lead to electrical issues, including flickering lights or erratic gauges on the instrument panel.
Warning Signs of Instrument Panel Display Failure
Here are some warning signs of instrument panel display failure.
- Dim, Flickering, or No Backlighting
- Digital displays, such as the odometer, may show distorted pixels
- Incorrect information provided by gauges, like the fuel or speedometer
- Not illuminating warning lights
- A permanent or flickering check engine light
Is it Safe to Drive a Vehicle With a Faulty Instrument Panel Display?
No, it is entirely unsafe to drive a car with a faulty instrument panel display, as it could lead to dangerous driving conditions and unexpected breakdowns. As discussed before, a malfunctioning instrument cluster may fail to display the vehicle’s critical information, such as speed, fuel level, and engine temperature, as well as warning lights.
Without access to this essential data, you may be unaware of critical warnings, which could result in accidents or injury.
How Will Toyota Fix the Issue?
Toyota has asked the affected owners to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer to fix the issue. Dealers will update the instrument panel display software for non-plug-in hybrid cars, free of charge.
On the other hand, for plug-in hybrids, dealers will completely replace the panel display or update the software.
Wrapping Up
Toyota’s massive recall is a clear reminder that even a minor electronic fault can pose significant safety risks. However, it is not just a minor electronic fault. If there is a malfunction in the instrument panel display, you may be unaware of the vehicle’s critical warnings, potentially leading to accidents or further damage to your car.
Toyota has taken swift action, updating the software or completely replacing the instrument panel display to ensure drivers remain safe and informed behind the wheel. If your Toyota vehicle is on the recall list, you must contact the company’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Safe Driving!
