Toyota is recalling 2,700 of its first mass-produced all-electric vehicles due to concerns that their wheels may fall off.
After “low-mileage use,” bolts on the bZ4X’s wheels “can loosen to the point where the wheel can detach from the vehicle,” according to a spokesperson.
The recall comes less than two months after the vehicle was first introduced in Japan.
Subaru has also announced that it will recall 403 electric vehicles developed in collaboration with Toyota for the same reason.
Toyota issued a safety recall for 2,700 bZ4X SUVs in the United States, Europe, Canada, and Japan on Friday, according to a statement.
“If a wheel detaches from the vehicle while driving, it may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash,” according to a spokesperson.
“No one should drive these vehicles until the remedy is performed,” they added.
Toyota stated on Thursday that it had notified Japanese safety regulators about the defect, and that the cause of the problem was “still under investigation.”
Subaru, another Japanese automaker, announced a recall of 403 Solterras, its first all-electric vehicle developed in collaboration with Toyota, due to loose bolts. The company did not immediately respond to the BBC’s request for comment.
Toyota is considered a latecomer to the electric vehicle market when compared to rival manufacturers such as Tesla, which launched its first electric vehicle 14 years ago.