The National Consumer Commission (NCC) of South Africa has announced that Toyota South Africa Motors (Pty) Ltd is recalling 1,846 units of the Toyota Land Cruiser LC300 due to a potential transmission defect, reports Cape {town} Etc.
This recall affects vehicles sold between 8 January 2025 and 16 January 2026 and raises significant safety concerns for motorists.
Also see: 18,000 Kia vehicles recalled for dangerous defects
The issue lies within the 10-speed automatic transmission, which employs linear solenoids to manage gear shifts. The NCC reports that under certain driving conditions, a failure in the solenoid can lead to the Transmission Electronic Control Unit (T-ECU) and the Engine ECU not detecting the malfunction.
Consequently, this may result in the transmission over-revving while in certain gears, posing a risk of serious damage and motorists could experience a loss of motive power when driving at elevated speeds, increasing the likelihood of dangerous situations.
Furthermore, a damaged transmission housing might lead to a leak of transmission fluid, further elevating the risk of a crash or fire if an ignition source is nearby.
The Commission emphasises the importance of immediate action in addressing these potential risks.
In an additional move, the NCC has also informed the public of a separate recall involving specific Lexus LX500D vehicles, including the LX500D-FSport and LX500D Overtrail models, distributed between 13 March 2025 and 16 January 2026.
Approximately 110 units are reported to be involved in the South African market. Similar to the Land Cruiser, these Lexuses also feature a 10-speed automatic transmission with linear solenoid controls.
The same transmission failure scenario raises concerns here as well. If a solenoid fails, it can go undetected, leading to over-revving and subsequent damage, while the potential for transmission fluid leaks may also persist.
The NCC has similarly advised owners of these Lexus models to bring their vehicles to authorised Lexus dealerships for reprogramming of the Transmission ECU and again, at no cost to the consumer.
The NCC continues to monitor both recalls as part of its commitment to consumer safety under the Consumer Protection Act.
Owners who believe they are affected should not delay in seeking repairs given the serious safety implications.
Compiled by Sibuliso Duba
First published on Cape {town} etc
Also see: Polo Vivo recall affects 25 729 vehicles nationwide
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