New hybrid SUV on stop while manufacturer investigates braking problem

UPDATE 05/07/2019 9:20AM

Selected Toyota and Lexus hybrid models remain on stop sale. In an update obtained from Toyota Australia at 10:00am today, the company stated: “We are continuing to carry out pre-delivery vehicle inspections as a precautionary measure. We will provide further details on expected completion timing and subsequent lifting of the sales stop as soon as possible”. carsales understands from discussions with Toyota dealer staff, the inspections being carried out at dealerships centre on the affected models brake booster which in some cases are not the correct part. No further details were available at this time.

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Toyota has temporarily withdrawn the RAV4 Hybrid from sale, following the discovery of a braking defect in the vehicle.

The recently released mid-size hybrid SUV has attracted strong sales since its launch and customers are already facing ballooning delivery times.

According to sources close to Toyota, the ‘sales stop’ was issued last Friday and has remained in place since. It’s believed that the defect has only been detected in the hybrid variants of the new Toyota RAV4 (not the conventional petrol models), leading to the conclusion that the defect is related to the hybrid’s regenerative energy-recovery system.

Toyota Australia has not issued a recall notice and has not revealed the precise nature of the problem. Nor has the company advised how many vehicles are affected or when the sales stop is likely to be lifted.

When contacted by carsales a Toyota spokesperson confirmed the RAV4 Hybrid was affected stating: “Toyota Australia has put a selected number of vehicles on a temporary sales stop, as a precautionary measure, to ensure consistency of manufacturing amongst those vehicles. A pre-delivery inspection will be conducted prior to sale to avoid any inconvenience to customers.”