Toyota bZ4X / Lexus RZ / Subaru Solterra HVAC defroster software recall
- Manufacturer
- Toyota / Lexus / Subaru
- Model
- e-TNGA platform family
- Years affected
- 2023–2025
- Risk type
- Software/visibility
- Issue
- HVAC control ECU software fault may cause windshield defroster and defogger to become inoperative under certain electrical compressor failure conditions. Approximately 94,320 vehicles affected globally across the shared Toyota e-TNGA platform family — 2023-2025 Lexus RZ 450e, 2024-2025 Lexus RZ 300e, 2023-2025 Toyota bZ4X, and 2023-2025 Subaru Solterra. Critical for cold-climate buyers (Quebec, the Maritimes, Prairies, northern US) where extended sub-freezing temperatures are when the defective failsafe mode is most likely to activate.
Summary
The Lexus RZ HVAC defroster software recall (NHTSA 25V577) is a multi-brand campaign affecting vehicles built on Toyota's e-TNGA platform: the Lexus RZ 450e and 300e, the Toyota bZ4X, and the Subaru Solterra. Approximately 94,320 vehicles are affected globally. The defect is a software fault in the HVAC control electrical control unit (ECU) that, under certain electrical compressor failure conditions, can prevent the windshield defroster and defogger from operating effectively.
Timeline
The recall was initiated in September 2025 after Transport Canada raised concerns about cold-climate performance. Toyota initially believed there would be no major risk because the affected vehicles use dual heat sources, but cold-climate testing revealed that an electric compressor failure can disable both heat-source systems simultaneously — contradicting earlier assumptions. The recall was filed with NHTSA on September 4, 2025, and owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2025. Lexus's internal numbers for this campaign are 25LB04 (RZ 450e) and 25LA04 (RZ 300e); Toyota's numbers are 25TB07 and 25TA07 (bZ4X); Subaru's number is WRD-25 (Solterra).
Consumer impact
The remedy is straightforward: dealers update the HVAC control ECU software at no cost, and inspect (and replace if necessary) the electrical compressor. Both repairs are covered free of charge regardless of warranty status or ownership. Cold-climate owners should verify the recall is closed before winter — particularly in Quebec, the Maritimes, Prairies, and northern US states where compressor failure-induced defroster disablement is most likely to occur during sub-freezing operation. Verify by VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls or through the Lexus.com/recall lookup tool.
Help other owners — file with the regulator
If your vehicle is affected by this defect, filing a complaint with NHTSA, Transport Canada, DVSA, or your regional regulator helps build the data record. Each report contributes to pattern detection that can trigger formal investigations and recalls — protecting other owners of the same vehicle, not just you.
You can file at any time, even if your dealer or manufacturer is already handling repairs. The regulatory complaint is a separate channel that helps every owner of your vehicle.
Campaign codes across affected model years
The manufacturer internal campaign codes and NHTSA campaign numbers we have on file for every affected model year. Multiple codes on a single vehicle reflect successive campaigns — sometimes a new campaign supersedes an earlier repair that did not resolve the issue.
| Mfr. code | NHTSA # | Announced | Model year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25LB04 | 25V577 | 2025 | 2023 | HVAC system fault may render defroster/defogger inoperative. Software update plus electrical compressor inspection (shared with Toyota bZ4X 25TB07 and Subaru Solterra WRD-25). |
| 25LA04 | 25V577 | 2025 | 2024 | HVAC system fault may render defroster/defogger inoperative. Software update plus electrical compressor inspection (RZ 300e variant of the broader recall). |
Always verify open status by VIN with the regulator in your region:
This table is editorial reference, not a regulatory record. Regulators outside of NHTSA generally require a VIN or registration-plate lookup flow instead of a per-model URL.
Verify your vehicle with the regulator
The regulator in your jurisdiction is always the authoritative source for whether your specific VIN is affected by an open safety campaign. Check the database below using your vehicle identification number.
- United States — NHTSA (US)
- Canada — Transport Canada
- Transport Canada — Transport Canada defects and recalls
EV Risk Index editorializes around public recall data; we do not replace regulatory guidance. If you believe your vehicle is affected by a safety recall, contact the manufacturer and check the regulator database for your jurisdiction using your VIN.