Toyota New Zealand is recalling 500 current model Highlander large SUVs after problems with electric power steering controls and electric vehicle software.
Kiwi owners of the 2014 Highlander will be contacted and the vehicles’ power steering ECUs would be inspected, said a Toyota NZ spokesperson.
“If a vehicle is affected, we will be replacing the unit. Both the inspection and any remedial action will be provided free of charge. We do regret the inconvenience to customers but think it’s important to take this precautionary step.”
Toyota USA is recalling 112,500 cars and SUVs to fix the problems. The largest of two recalls announced this week covers about 110,000 of the 2015 Camry sedans and Highlanders, as well as 2014 and 2015 RAV4 SUVs.
Toyota USA says a circuit board in the electric power steering may have been damaged at the factory. Power-assisted steering could fail, increasing the effort needed to steer and raising the risk of a crash.
The other recall covers 2500 RAV4 electric vehicles from 2012 through 2014.
Toyota USA says it knows of no crashes or injuries in either case.