On November 11, 2025, while reversing inside a garage, the rearview camera image— which had initially displayed correctly on the vehicle’s screen—suddenly froze while the vehicle remained in reverse mode. At the same time, the Pre-Collision System (PCS) failed to engage the brakes while the vehicle was traveling at approximately 2–3 miles per hour. As a result, the vehicle struck the garage structure and sustained damage. Toyota investigated this incident (Case #XXX) but based its conclusion on the incorrect assumption that I had reported either a brake system malfunction or a complete absence of an image on the display (a dark or blank screen). Because of this, Toyota determined that it could not provide assistance regarding the resulting vehicle damage. This characterization is inaccurate. The issue was not a blank screen. The rearview camera image appeared normally and then froze while the vehicle was still in reverse. My vehicle is currently subject to Recall Campaign No. 25LA06, which addresses reliability issues involving critical safety-related electronic systems. The rear visibility system is a federally mandated safety feature under 49 CFR §571.111 (Rear Visibility Requirements). When the image freezes during active vehicle operation, the system no longer provides the required real-time visibility necessary for safe reversing. Given the existence of an active recall campaign aimed at addressing reliability issues within the vehicle's electronic safety systems, this malfunction should be considered potentially linked to a defect covered by Recall Campaign No. 25LA06. The failure of the rear-view system during vehicle operation directly contributed to the occurrence of the collision.
NHTSA ODI 11724502