Why is the Toyota BZ4X being recalled?

The recall is triggered by a risk that the front-wheel hub bolts on the bZ4X could loosen or detach, potentially allowing a wheel to come off while driving. Toyota and Subaru issued the safety recall in 2022 to inspect and fix the affected vehicles.

What sparked the recall

In 2022, Toyota and Subaru identified a fault in the front-wheel hub bolts that could loosen and detach. The issue was discovered during production and early service checks, raising the possibility that a wheel could become unattached while the vehicle is in motion. The risk is mechanical rather than electrical and could affect handling and safety if not addressed.

Technical background

The bZ4X shares a platform with the Subaru Solterra. The concern centered on front-wheel hub bolts that could loosen due to torque issues or manufacturing variances, which could lead to wheel detachment under certain driving conditions. Toyota and Subaru coordinated a safety action to prevent a potential crash or loss of control.

Affected models and scope

The recall covers the Toyota bZ4X electric SUV for the 2022 model year and the Subaru Solterra from the same timeframe. The two brands are recalling vehicles jointly because of the shared components and platform. The campaign aimed to inspect and remedy front-wheel hub hardware to ensure secure wheel attachment.

The following steps outline what the recall process will involve for affected owners.

• Inspection of the front-wheel hub bolts to verify proper torque and tightness.


• Replacement or tightening of bolts or hub assemblies as needed to ensure the wheel is securely attached.


• Re-torque verification and a short road test to confirm proper assembly and function.


• Any necessary software updates or service bulletin adjustments as directed by the dealer.

Not every vehicle will require all steps; the exact remedy depends on the inspection results.

What owners should do

Owners of affected vehicles will receive notification from Toyota or Subaru with instructions. In the meantime, owners should contact their local dealer to schedule a free inspection. The recall work is performed at no cost to the owner.

The following steps help owners prepare for the recall process and ensure timely service.

• Check for recall notices tied to your vehicle’s VIN and review official recall status portals for updates.


• Schedule a free inspection with a Toyota or Subaru dealer; have your recall notice or VIN handy to verify eligibility.


• If advised by the dealer, bring the vehicle in promptly for inspection and any required repairs.


• Follow any post-inspection instructions from the dealer and keep documentation of the repair.

Acting promptly minimizes the risk associated with a loose front-wheel hub bolt and helps restore the vehicle’s safety and reliability.

Safety context and industry perspective

Safety recalls of this type highlight the importance of mechanical reliability in electric vehicles, where wheel integrity directly affects steering and braking. Toyota and Subaru coordinated the recall across both brands due to shared parts and production lines, emphasizing a unified approach to customer safety.

Summary

The Toyota bZ4X recall focuses on the risk that front-wheel hub bolts may loosen or detach, potentially causing a wheel to detach while driving. Dealers will inspect and fix the front-wheel hub hardware at no cost to owners, with steps including tightening or replacing bolts/hub assemblies and performing a re-torque check. Owners should watch for recall notices and contact their dealer to arrange service promptly.

Why are Toyota bZ4X not selling?

The Toyota bZ4X hasn't sold well due to a combination of factors, including a major recall for potential wheel detachment, limited driving range, slower-than-average charging speeds, and a design and price that failed to stand out against competitors. While aggressive lease incentives did boost sales significantly in 2024, the vehicle has faced a steep sales decline in 2025 due to these ongoing issues. Toyota is addressing some of these concerns in its 2026 update.
 
This video explains Toyota's financial struggles with the bZ4X model: 57sEVPediaYouTube · Jan 13, 2025
Reasons for poor sales

• Major recalls: A critical safety recall occurred where wheels could fall off, forcing Toyota to halt sales and buy back vehicles, which severely damaged consumer confidence. Another recall involved a faulty defroster. 
• Limited range and charging: Competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5 offer more competitive range, and the bZ4X's DC fast-charging capabilities were flagged as slow and road-trip unfriendly. 
• Uncompetitive pricing and design: Even after price cuts, the bZ4X was seen by some as too expensive for its performance and features. Its design was also considered bland compared to competitors. 
• Brand perception: Toyota's history of promoting hybrid vehicles and being critical of a full EV transition has made some consumers skeptical of their commitment to the EV market. 

How Toyota plans to address the issues

• Updated model: Toyota is releasing an updated 2026 model to address complaints.
• Improved range: The new model offers a significantly improved driving range of up to 314 miles, a 25% increase over the 2025 model.
• New EV models: Toyota is also slated to release new electric models like the C-HR and BZ Woodland in 2026. 

This video explains Toyota's financial struggles with the bZ4X model: 1mThe Electric VikingYouTube · Oct 8, 2025

Why has the Toyota bZ4X been recalled?

Toyota and Subaru Recalling BZ4x, Solterra, Lexus RZ EVs for Faulty Defroster. Nearly 100,000 cars total are being called back across America in order to fix the problem. Toyota, Lexus and Subaru are recalling their trio of EVs, the bZ4X, RZ and Solterra, for a windshield defroster that may not function.

What is the problem with the Toyota bZ4X?

Common problems with the Toyota bZ4X include safety recalls related to wheels falling off and faulty defoggers, a persistent 12-volt battery issue that can leave the car dead, and a poor user experience with the dashboard visibility caused by the steering wheel design. Other complaints involve inconsistent EV charging performance, noticeable road and wind noise, and a cheap-feeling interior with poor-fitting plastic trim.
 
This video discusses the visibility issues and the 12-volt battery problem: 1mElectrifyingYouTube · Feb 8, 2024
Safety and reliability

• Recall: An early recall warned owners to stop driving and have the vehicle towed to a dealer due to the risk of wheels falling off, an issue linked to a hub bolt problem. 
• Recall: A separate recall addressed faulty defrosters that could fail, impairing visibility through the windshield. 
• 12-volt battery: A recurring issue is a dead 12-volt battery, which can prevent the car from starting even with a full high-voltage charge, requiring a jump start. 

Charging and performance

• Inconsistent charging: Some owners report that DC fast charging is slower than expected and can be significantly throttled after just two charge cycles. 
• Range anxiety: The actual driving range may be less than advertised, especially with aggressive driving or in colder temperatures, leading to range anxiety for some users. 
• Driving experience: While the acceleration is decent, there is noticeable road and wind noise, and some users find the car's performance to be unrefined and more "appliance-like" than expected from Toyota. 
• Range drops: The range can drop significantly in cold weather. 

Interior and design

• Dashboard visibility: The design of the dashboard instruments is often obstructed by the steering wheel from a normal driving position, forcing drivers to look down and away from the road to see key information like battery percentage. 
• Cheap materials: Some reviewers have noted disappointing interior quality, particularly with the plastic trim, which can look and feel cheap and doesn't always align properly. 
• Lack of features: Some models lack expected features like power-folding mirrors, passenger seat adjustments, or memory seats. 

This video highlights the dashboard visibility and lack of features: 57sDownshiftYouTube · Feb 27, 2023
Other issues

• Electronics: Some users experience problems with in-car electronics, such as the inability to connect to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay in cold weather. 
• Regeneration system: The regeneration system can have issues, with some owners reporting it fails regularly or drops out of regeneration mode unexpectedly. 

This video discusses the interior design and lack of a glove box: 57sTFLEVYouTube · Jul 20, 2023

Why is Toyota buying back the bZ4X?

Back in June, Toyota warned the owners of its BZ4X electric SUV that they should stop driving the vehicle and have it transported to a dealership. They issued this waning because of a severe problem; the wheels could fall off while driving even after a short time on the road.