PT Toyota Astra (TAM) announced a recall process for the Toyota bZ4X electric car. The recall was not carried out because of the tire problems that plagued the Toyota bZ4X at the start of its launch in 2022.
This time, the problem experienced by the Toyota bZ4X in Indonesia actually occurred due to the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) needing to be reprogrammed.
Toyota Indonesia said in its official statement that the ECU controls the display of all important vehicle information on the Combination Meter. The problems found meant that hundreds of bZ4X units already in circulation had to be recalled.
The number of Toyota bZ4X affected by the recall alert for March 2022-June 2023 is 595 units. Affected Toyota bZ4X customers are asked to visit the nearest official Toyota repair shop for further inspection and ECU reprogramming.
“With all humility, PT TAM is carrying out a global initiative from the principals of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), namely informing and inviting owners of Toyota bZ4X vehicles for the production year March 2022-June 2023 to immediately confirm whether their vehicles are included in the list of units receiving a recall in the workshop network. official Toyota throughout Indonesia,” said Deputy President Director of PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM), Henry Tanoto, in an official statement quoted, Monday (29/1/2024).
The ECU manages various important systems, such as warning lights and indicators, general vehicle gauges, battery and electric motor performance gauges, mileage, messages and other important information, displayed in the form of a Multi Information Display (MID) and also sent to the Data Communication Module (DCM).
In principle, the DCM communicates with the ECU on the Combination Meter to check the vehicle status within a certain period of time after the ignition is turned off. If communication between the DCM and the ECU occurs while the ECU is carrying out a certain process, there is a possibility that the ECU will not complete the process it is carrying out.
“We will carry out inspections and reprogramming in the form of a software update on the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), the Combination Meter controller which functions to display all important vehicle information in the form of a Multi Information Display (MID),” said Henry Tanoto.
When this situation occurs, the MID display will become blank or empty after a new key cycle, which will then not display certain signs and indicators. Because the ECU also interacts with other functions such as direction lights, hazard warning lights, and the Pre-Collision System (a feature of Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 technology), these functions will be disabled.
As a result, the vehicle could potentially not meet certain requirements regarding safety. If the car is forced to run without these functions, it can increase the risk of an accident under certain driving conditions.
The reprogramming (software update) process to update the system and overcome potential malfunctions will be carried out by global Toyota certified expert technicians. So, the process can take place quickly and safely.
The estimated time for the checking process until the software update is complete is around a maximum of 2 hours without the need for any parts to be replaced. Customers are advised to book a service, so that dealers can prepare stalls and technicians.
PT TAM Marketing Director Anton Jimmy Suwandy said that his party had announced this recall activity through various communication channels. Customers can contact the official Toyota dealer network to carry out this repair.
“Apart from that, you can also go through the official website or via Toyota Customer Care which operates 24 hours at telephone number 1-500-315. “Apart from that, customers can interact with the Toyota Interactive Virtual Assistant (TARRA) via Whatsapp at number 08111500315 for an initial check and then be directed to go to the nearest official Toyota repair shop,” said Anton.
PT TAM emphasized that the recall activity or recall of products that are already in the hands of customers is part of its commitment to guarantee product quality, as well as maintain the security and safety of travel for Toyota bZ4X owners.
