The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·16V198000·Announced 2016-04-07

Toyota Recalls 2016 RAV4, Lexus RX350, and ES350 for Brake Defect

Toyota is recalling 2016 RAV4, Lexus RX350, and ES350 vehicles because a damaged O-ring in the ABS actuator may cause improper brake fluid pressure control, increasing crash risk.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect in the braking system that can lead to loss of vehicle control and increased crash risk, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4, Lexus RX350, and Lexus ES350 vehicles. The recall covers 16,656 vehicles manufactured between September 1, 2015, and February 29, 2016. Specifically, the affected production dates are October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, for the RAV4; October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, for the RX350; and September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016, for the ES350.

These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring. This defect could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during the activation of Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control, or Stability Control. Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, which increases the risk of a crash. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

The recalled product

Product
LEXUS, TOYOTA RX350, RAV4, ES350
Brand
LEXUS
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Category
Vehicle — Braking System
Hazard
Affected units
16,656

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (3)

  • RX350
  • RAV4
  • ES350

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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