{
  "id": 366401,
  "title": "Toyota recalls vehicles due to programming issue affecting safety",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/toyota-recalls-vehicles-due-to-programming-issue-affecting-safety",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/news/2026-08-09-toyota-recalls-vehicles-due-to-programming-issue-affecting-safety/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has announced a recall of certain Toyota vehicles due to a programming problem that affects their safety. Toyota SA Motors (Pty) Ltd notified the NCC of the issue. The recall involves 16 RAV4 PHEV, four Corolla Cross, 391 Corolla Hatchback, 12 Crown, and 86 GR Corolla models. These vehicles were sold through Toyota dealerships across the country and were built between specific dates.\n\nPheto Ntaba, a spokesperson for the NCC, explained that the affected vehicles have a combination meter system that shows various vehicle information like warning lights, gauges, and messages on a 12.3-inch display. \"Proper programming of the combination meter is crucial,\" Ntaba noted. When improperly programmed, unnecessary data may repeatedly be written to the memory device while the meter is working. This can lead to the memory device wearing out more quickly than it should.\n\nIf this happens, the monitor might stop showing information when the car starts up. In some cases, this could prevent drivers from seeing warning indicators on the center multimedia screen, possibly leading to a higher risk of accidents if an issue isn't noticed. Hardin Ratshisusu, the Acting Commissioner for the NCC, advised owners of these vehicles to bring their cars to the nearest Toyota dealership for a reprogramming of the combination meter. The NCC emphasized the importance of taking product recall notices seriously and ensuring affected vehicles receive the necessary repairs at no cost to consumers.",
  "summary": "The National Consumer Commission has confirmed the recall of over 500 Toyota vehicles due to a critical programming issue.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}