Toyota Issues One of Its Largest Recalls in Years

Toyota Motor Corporation has issued a recall affecting approximately 3.5 million vehicles sold in the United States between 2022 and 2025. The recall covers a defective steering angle sensor that can malfunction and cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist, potentially making the vehicle significantly harder to steer, especially at low speeds.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirmed the recall on Monday, noting that Toyota had received over 1,200 complaints related to the issue, including 34 reports of accidents, though no fatalities have been attributed to the defect.

Which Models Are Affected

The recall covers a wide range of Toyota and Lexus models that share the same steering sensor component. The full list of affected vehicles includes:

Owners can check whether their specific vehicle is affected by entering their Vehicle Identification Number on the NHTSA recall lookup website or by contacting their local Toyota dealer.

What Causes the Problem

According to Toyota's defect report filed with NHTSA, the steering angle sensor contains a circuit board component that can develop microcracks over time due to thermal cycling. When these cracks propagate sufficiently, the sensor sends incorrect data to the electric power steering control module, which then disables power steering assist as a safety precaution.

When the malfunction occurs, the steering wheel warning light illuminates and the steering effort increases significantly. The vehicle remains steerable but requires considerably more physical effort, particularly during parking maneuvers and low-speed turns.

The issue is more likely to manifest in vehicles that experience extreme temperature variations, which explains why a higher proportion of complaints have originated from states with hot summers and cold winters.

What Toyota Is Doing

Toyota dealers will replace the steering angle sensor assembly free of charge for all affected vehicles. The company has already begun producing replacement parts and expects to have sufficient inventory to handle the recall volume within 60 days. Owners will receive notification letters by mail starting in late April 2026.

For owners who have already paid for steering sensor repairs out of pocket, Toyota will offer reimbursement for parts and labor costs. The company has established a dedicated customer support line for recall-related inquiries.

What You Should Do Now

If you own one of the affected models, check your VIN on the NHTSA website immediately. If your vehicle is included in the recall, contact your nearest Toyota or Lexus dealer to schedule a service appointment. In the meantime, if you experience a sudden increase in steering effort or see the steering warning light illuminate, pull over safely and contact roadside assistance. Do not ignore warning lights, as driving without power steering assist at highway speeds can be dangerous, particularly in emergency maneuvers.