Toyota bZ4X: Manufacturer offers buyback after recall campaign

The presentation of the new Toyota bZ4X e-SUV in June did not go as well as hoped for the automaker. Just a few weeks later, the car was affected by a recall. Now the manufacturer is even offering customers to buy back the vehicle.

Toyota bZ4X: Manufacturer offers buyback and more

Actually, the Toyota bZ4X E-SUV was supposed to become the Japanese automaker’s success story. On paper, everything sounded so good. The new e-TNGA platform, which houses the battery in the chassis, sounded promising.

The model was to be offered with a 204 hp front-wheel drive or 218 hp all-wheel drive, and thanks to X-MODE it was even to be suitable for off-road use. But then, just a few weeks later, there was a widespread recall due to a screw coming loose, where the wheels could come off on their own while driving.

But even the recall isn’t really going rosy, as Electrek magazine reports. According to the report, the manufacturer is sending letters to affected customers offering to buy back the bZ4X in its entirety.

They point out that they will continue to not be allowed to drive the 2023 E-SUV until they find a solution. In addition, Toyota says it offers manufacturers numerous services that indicate that progress in troubleshooting is apparently slow.

For example, a loaner car would be provided free of charge, while the manufacturer’s own bZ4X would be stored at no additional cost. In addition, the company is offering $5,000, an extended warranty and free charging at all EVgo charging stations in the U.S. until the end of 2024.

Interesting, since only 280 models affected by the recall were delivered to North America. The majority, a full 2,200 vehicles, went to Europe. Here, Toyota has apparently not yet had its say.

Toyota also offers buyback

Furthermore, however, the automaker is also offering to buy back the affected Toyota bZ4X in full. “The terms of the buyback may vary, depending on their condition and certain circumstances,” the letter states.

A specialist would contact affected parties in a few days, if the buyback is desired, to talk through the possible options.

Interestingly, the Subaru Solterra, which is built on the same platform as the Toyota, is also affected by the recall. Also because of a screw that came loose. But Subaru has not yet commented on possible compensation.

“In the course of regular quality checks, potential problems with the wheels were identified. This affects all vehicles produced until June 15, 2022,” it said at the time on the part of Subaru. Here, however, no vehicles have yet been delivered in Germany.

In recent months, recalls of electric cars have been piling up. From the Lucid Air to the Ford Mustang Mach-E to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, hardly any vehicle seems to be spared from problems.

It is currently unclear what steps Toyota plans to take in this country. After all, models delivered to Europe are mainly affected by the recall. This is different in the case of the construction-related Subaru Solterra, which has not yet been delivered to Germany.