Toyota Recalls 82,000 Vehicles Because Driver Displays Can Go Blank
Toyota is conducting a safety recall for four models due to a defect with the 12.3-inch combination meter display. In total, 82,000 vehicles in the U.S. are involved in this recall, which underlines the downsides of common digital displays in modern vehicles. In this case, the driver's display could become blank when the car is started, which could prevent the driver from seeing critical warnings/indicators. It's not the first time that thousands of Toyota models have been recalled for a similar issue, either.
Blank Displays Hit Toyota and Lexus Vehicles
The recall is not yet mentioned on the NHTSA's website, but we do know the following 2024-2025 models are implicated:
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Toyota Mirai
- Lexus UX
- Lexus GX
Due to the displays that could go blank, these models fail to meet federal safety requirements. If the car is unable to warn the driver of a potential issue, appropriate action may not be taken, which could lead to a crash or injury. Not every trim in the list above may be impacted. For instance, the 2025 Lexus UX has a standard seven-inch multi-information display, so only top trims with the 12.3-inch screen would be affected.
Toyota will notify owners of these models by late July and dealers will update the vehicles with new software at no charge. Before then, customers may call the Toyota Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-331-4331 for more information. Vehicle Identification Numbers can also be used to check if your model is part of the recall group, but it's unknown if these VINs are searchable on the NHTSA's website yet.
Related: 12.1 Million Recalls Later, America's Auto Industry Has a Serious Problem
Software Issues Continue For Legacy Brands
Last year, Toyota recalled 591,000 models for the same problem: 12.3-inch instrument panels that could go blank. This recall affected models like the Camry, RAV4, Grand Highlander, Venza, and Tacoma, which is why the recall population was a lot higher. Toyota also blamed a software defect for this recall, which could hide important information like vehicle speed and tire pressure warning lights from the driver.
While it's unknown if the two recalls are linked, it does point to the challenges automakers face as vehicles become more and more reliant on software. In the latest U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study from JD Power, many vehicle owners expressed frustration with software issues and the unreliable performance of over-the-air software updates. Earlier this year, Honda had to recall over 65,000 vehicles for a similar problem whereby the dashboard display could go blank while on the move.
These technologies have added a pain point that simply didn't exist a generation or two ago, and even a traditionally dependable brand like Toyota isn't immune to it.
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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 8:31 AM.