Toyota Motor recalls 161,000 Tundra pickups over rearview camera software flaw

Toyota moves to fix rearview camera software flaw as U.S. safety actions mount

Toyota Motor is recalling more than 161,000 pickup trucks in the United States over a software defect that can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, the company says. The action affects certain 2024 and 2025 Toyota Tundra and Tundra Hybrid models equipped with the Panoramic View Monitor (PVM). The defect prompts safety concerns because rearview camera functionality is a primary aid when backing, and regulators and safety advocates warn that loss of the image increases the risk of collisions with pedestrians or objects.

The recall underscores a shift in the auto industry toward addressing software and electronic system vulnerabilities rather than purely mechanical faults. Toyota’s PVM integrates multiple cameras and software to produce a composite view; when that software fails, drivers lose situational awareness that many have come to rely on. Regulators are increasingly scrutinizing how manufacturers design, test and update such systems, and automakers are adapting recall processes to include software diagnostics, on‑site reprogramming and coordinated parts or update distribution.

Operationally, Toyota joins other manufacturers in mobilizing dealer networks to notify owners and schedule remedies while managing parts supply chains and service capacity. The company is working within the regulatory framework that emphasizes prompt investigation and consumer safety, as NHTSA monitors trends across brands to determine whether broader remedies or additional actions are required. Automakers face pressure to ensure over‑the‑air or dealer‑delivered fixes are timely and do not introduce new faults into complex vehicle electronics.

BMW starter overheating recall expands

Separately, NHTSA announces BMW North America is recalling 87,394 U.S. vehicles after finding an engine starter may overheat and pose a fire risk; dealers will replace the starter at no cost. The move follows prior BMW recalls totaling more than 341,000 affected units for similar starter issues across several model years.

Industry-wide scrutiny intensifies

The Toyota and BMW actions come amid a broader wave of U.S. safety measures: Chrysler is recalling more than 450,000 vehicles and over 2,000 tow‑trailer modules for a brake light failure, and federal regulators expand a probe into 1.27 million Ford F‑150 trucks over unexpected transmission downshifts. Regulators and manufacturers are coordinating notifications, repairs and parts logistics as they track whether isolated fixes will require wider remedies.