Toyota RAV4 PHEV recall affects 5,925 vehicles in Australia over risk of losing drive power

Toyota Australia is recalling 5,925 plug-in hybrid RAV4 vehicles over a fault with the motor generator electronic control unit. The Australian Government’s Vehicle Recalls website says the problem may prevent the electric motor from operating as intended at higher speeds, and the vehicle could lose motive power while driving.

The recall is listed as REC-006742 and was first published on 9 October 2026. Toyota says it will contact affected owners in writing, and the repair is free of charge at your preferred Toyota dealer.

Recall facts from the official notice

What the defect is

The notice says a manufacturing issue with the motor generator electronic control unit, called the MG-ECU, means the motor initialisation process may not complete correctly. That may prevent the electric motor from operating as intended at higher speeds.

The listed hazard is that warning lights will illuminate and the vehicle may enter fail-safe mode or shut down, resulting in a loss of motive power. The notice says a loss of motive power while driving increases the risk of an accident, causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users. We have not speculated beyond what the regulator’s notice says.

What RAV4 plug-in hybrid owners should do

1. Expect a letter from Toyota, which the notice says will ask you to make an appointment at your preferred Toyota dealer.

2. You do not have to wait to find out whether your vehicle is included. Open the official recall notice for REC-006742, which provides a downloadable list of affected VINs, and compare it with your own.

3. For more information, call the Toyota Recall Assist helpline on 1800 987 366, open Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm AEST or AEDT. You can also visit toyota.com.au/recalls or email recallsupport@toyota.dataresponse.com.au.

4. If a warning light comes on while you are driving, contact Toyota or your dealer straight away.

Your VIN is printed on your registration certificate and on the vehicle compliance label, which is on the door jamb or stamped into the floor in front of the driver’s seat, according to Toyota’s website. The notice names only the two plug-in hybrid model codes, so it is the VIN list that confirms whether your own vehicle is involved.

Which RAV4 models are plug-in hybrids

Toyota’s Australian RAV4 range offers the plug-in hybrid powertrain in the XSE (2WD or AWD) and GR Sport (AWD) grades. Toyota says the plug-in system teams a 2.5-litre petrol engine with electric motors and a 22.7 kWh lithium-ion battery. The table shows launch pricing from Toyota Australia’s release, before on-road costs. Prices may have changed since launch, so confirm current pricing with a dealer.

Toyota notes that premium paint at $675 is mandatory on the XSE grade, and the prices exclude statutory charges and other on-road costs. Toyota lists its plug-in hybrid driving range as up to 154 km on the NEDC test for the XSE 2WD and up to 144 km for the GR Sport AWD, which are test figures and not real-world distances. This recall notice covers only the plug-in hybrid model codes AXAP62R and AXAP64R.

Buying a RAV4 plug-in hybrid

If you are shopping for a new or used RAV4 plug-in hybrid, ask the dealer to confirm in writing whether the vehicle’s VIN appears on the recall list and whether the repair has been completed. That is a simple step that protects you at the time of purchase. Our guide to driving a plug-in hybrid without charging and our comparison of range extenders and plug-in hybrids explain how these powertrains work in everyday use.

For other plug-in options in the SUV segment, see our list of the best hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs under $50,000 and browse the new SUV listings. Recalls are a normal part of the new-car market, and we have also covered the Toyota Kluger recall and the BYD Shark 6 recall. The official notice and Toyota’s helpline remain the best sources for the latest information on your vehicle.