Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has announced another large-scale vehicle recall, urging owners of selected Urban Cruiser models to return their vehicles to authorised dealerships after a manufacturing defect was identified in the fuel gauge system.
The latest recall affects 2,208 Urban Cruiser vehicles sold between 17 January and 3 June 2025. While most of the affected vehicles were purchased in South Africa, a number were also exported to neighbouring Southern African countries.
According to Toyota, the issue involves a defect in the vehicle’s combination meter that may cause the fuel gauge to display more fuel than is actually available, potentially increasing the risk of motorists unexpectedly running out of fuel while driving.
Fault Could Prevent Drivers From Receiving Low Fuel Warning
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) said the defect may result in an incorrect fuel indicator calibration value being stored in the vehicle’s instrument cluster during manufacturing.
As a result, drivers could receive inaccurate fuel level readings, while the low-fuel warning light may also fail to activate when fuel levels become critically low.
If motorists continue driving without realising the tank is almost empty, the engine could stall after fuel is exhausted and may fail to restart until the vehicle is refuelled.
Although the defect does not directly affect steering or braking systems, an engine stall while driving could create hazardous situations, particularly on busy roads or highways.
Toyota has informed both the National Consumer Commission and affected customers about the recall.
The company confirmed that all inspections and repairs will be carried out free of charge at authorised Toyota dealerships.
Of the 2,208 affected vehicles, 2,015 were sold in South Africa. The remaining vehicles were distributed to neighbouring countries, including Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Fourth Toyota Recall In South Africa This Year
The latest action marks Toyota’s fourth vehicle recall in South Africa during 2026.
Only a week earlier, Toyota South Africa Motors and Lexus South Africa Motors (LSAM) recalled 631 luxury SUVs after identifying a manufacturing defect affecting the V35A 3.4-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine.
The recall involved 507 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 models and 124 Lexus LX600 vehicles manufactured between December 2022 and May 2024.
According to the NCC, machining debris left inside some engines during production could contaminate crankshaft main bearings, potentially leading to bearing failure under prolonged heavy loads.
In severe cases, the defect may cause rough engine performance, difficulty starting the vehicle or complete engine failure while driving, increasing the risk of road accidents.
Earlier this year, Toyota also recalled nearly 2,000 vehicles in March because of software issues affecting the Transmission Electronic Control Unit (T-ECU), followed by another recall involving 6,525 vehicles in June.
The series of recalls highlights the automotive industry’s continued emphasis on identifying manufacturing defects and correcting safety-related issues before they lead to more serious incidents.
Vehicle owners are encouraged to check whether their vehicles are included in the latest recall and arrange inspections as soon as possible through their nearest authorised Toyota dealership.
Source: Toyota South Africa Motors; National Consumer Commission (NCC).