Toyota bZ4x production will restart today, after a three-month stoppage over concerns the wheels could fall off while driving.
The firm submitted a recall order to Japan’s safety regulator in June, noting that sudden braking could cause a wheel hub bolt to detach and that sudden turns could exacerbate this risk.
The stop order, affecting 2700 examples globally and around 800 UK cars, plus 2600 Subaru Solterra models, was made before deliveries began.
A spokesperson for Toyota GB told Autocar that the 800 customers who made orders before the stop will now be contacted shortly to arrange a delivery date.
Talking about the original issue, a Toyota spokesman said in June: “After low-mileage use, all of the hub bolts on the wheel of the subject vehicles can loosen to the point where the wheel can detach from the vehicle.
“If a wheel detaches from the vehicle while driving, it could result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
“The cause of the issue and the driving patterns under which this issue could occur are still under investigation.”
"No one should drive these vehicles until the remedy is performed."
The latest filing to the ministry notes that this problem has now been solved and that hub bolts will be replaced and properly tightened on the bZ4x.
Toyota also stated it discovered and resolved an issue with airbags that were improperly installed from the factory.
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Credit to Toyota for taking immediate actions to resolve the issue and provide redress to owners. It does however seem to be an over-reaction to purchase vehicles back and to have taken the vehicles totally off of sale. As surely it will prove to be a simple component issue that can be quickly resolved. Given the supply shortage of all EV’s at the moment. Toyota must be losing an absolute fortune in lost sales!
I wonder if some bolts with the wrong taper for the wheels fitted got into their supply chain so not gripping enough to stay locked tight.
If a wheel detaches from the vehicle while driving, it could result in a loss of vehicle control
I like the use of the world 'could'.