Toyota recalls 655,000 Camrys globally over blank display issue

Toyota has announced a global recall of approximately 655,000 Camry vehicles due to a software defect that can cause the instrument panel display to go blank during startup. The issue affects the 7-inch display combination meter, which may fail to power on, leaving drivers without critical visual and auditory alerts.

When the display fails, several safety functions are compromised. Turn signals, hazard lights, seat belt reminders, and the warning chime for a key left in the ignition may all stop working. This not only prevents drivers from seeing essential indicators but also makes it harder for other road users to anticipate a driver's actions, increasing the risk of a collision.

The bulk of the recall affects the United States, where over 508,000 model year 2025-2026 Camry Hybrids are involved. Globally, the affected vehicles were manufactured between December 2023 and July 2026 at plants in the U.S., Japan, and Thailand. Toyota states that the recall extends to markets in North America, the Middle East, Asia, and several other regions.

Toyota Motor North America will begin notifying owners by mail starting September 21, with the process expected to be completed by early October. Owners are advised to bring their vehicles to a certified dealer, where a free software update will be provided to rectify the issue. In the interim, customers can use Toyota's or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's online lookup tools to check if their specific vehicle is affected. For further assistance, Toyota's customer support line is available at 1-800-331-4331.