Toyota Expands Brake Recall to 3.1 Million Vehicles
Toyota Motor North America announced on April 4, 2026, a significant expansion of its ongoing brake system recall, bringing the total number of affected vehicles in the United States to approximately 3.1 million units. The expanded recall adds several model years and vehicle variants to the original recall issued in February 2026, which initially covered 1.8 million vehicles.
The recall addresses a potential defect in the brake booster assembly that could, in rare cases, cause a reduction in braking performance. Toyota stated that it has received 47 reports of reduced braking force and 12 reports of minor accidents potentially related to the defect, though no serious injuries have been attributed to the issue.
Complete List of Affected Vehicles
The expanded recall now covers the following Toyota and Lexus models:
- Toyota RAV4 — Model years 2022-2025 (all powertrains including hybrid)
- Toyota Camry — Model years 2022-2024
- Toyota Corolla — Model years 2023-2025 (sedan and hatchback)
- Toyota Highlander — Model years 2022-2024
- Toyota Tacoma — Model years 2024-2025 (NEW in expanded recall)
- Toyota Venza — Model years 2022-2024 (NEW in expanded recall)
- Lexus NX — Model years 2022-2025 (NEW in expanded recall)
- Lexus RX — Model years 2023-2024 (NEW in expanded recall)
What Is the Defect?
The issue involves the vacuum-assisted brake booster, a component that amplifies the drivers braking force to ensure effective stopping power. In affected vehicles, a manufacturing defect in the boosters internal diaphragm can cause the rubber material to develop micro-cracks over time, particularly in hot climate conditions.
When the diaphragm cracks, the brake booster gradually loses vacuum pressure, resulting in a “hard pedal” condition where the driver must apply significantly more force to achieve normal braking. The condition develops gradually over months, which may cause some drivers to adapt without realizing the braking performance has degraded.
“We take this matter extremely seriously. While the risk of sudden brake failure is very low, any reduction in braking performance is unacceptable. We urge all owners of affected vehicles to schedule their free recall repair as soon as possible.” — David Christ, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America
What Owners Should Do
- Check your VIN: Visit toyota.com/recall or lexus.com/recall and enter your Vehicle Identification Number to confirm if your vehicle is affected
- Schedule a repair: Contact your nearest Toyota or Lexus dealer to schedule a free recall repair
- Continue driving carefully: Toyota states that affected vehicles remain safe to drive, but owners should be aware of any changes in brake pedal feel
- Warning signs: A brake pedal that feels harder than normal, requires more foot pressure, or travels further before engaging may indicate the defect
Repair Details and Timeline
The recall repair involves replacing the brake booster assembly with an updated unit that uses a more durable diaphragm material. The repair takes approximately 2-3 hours and is performed at no cost to the vehicle owner.
Toyota has stated that parts are currently available for approximately 60% of affected vehicles, with full parts availability expected by the end of May 2026. Owners of vehicles for which parts are not yet available will be notified by mail when parts become available at their local dealership.
Recall Notification
Toyota will send official recall notification letters to all registered owners of affected vehicles beginning the week of April 14, 2026. However, owners do not need to wait for the letter to schedule their repair. Any Toyota or Lexus dealer can look up your vehicle by VIN to confirm recall eligibility and schedule service.
For additional questions, owners can contact Toyota Customer Service at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Service at 1-800-255-3987. The NHTSA recall campaign number is 26V-142.
