Motorheads know that more torque is always better than less. This can be true in vehicle assembly, where nuts and bolts can be tightened with computer-driven precision.
That apparently did not happen on certain recently built Toyota Camry hybrids and Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrids.
Inverter Bolt Could Come Loose
The Japanese automaker is recalling 55,405 of these vehicles because a machine at supplier Denso’s plant in Maryville, Tennessee, improperly torqued a bolt inside the inverter that converts power from the hybrid battery for the electric motor that helps drive the wheels.
Toyota told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today that the improperly torqued bolt could cause incomplete contact at the inverter terminal, or the bolt could come loose within the inverter assembly.
Risk Of Crash And Fire
“If either occurs, an open circuit can be created that activates a warning lamp and, in some cases, could potentially lead to a simultaneous activation of limp mode or loss of motive power,” Toyota says in its recall notice. “A vehicle loss of motive power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash.”
If that bolt loses contact while the ignition is on and the bolt becomes loose within the inverter assembly, “it could lead to a short circuit that could generate sufficient heat to cause thermal damage to components within and around the inverter assembly, increasing the risk of a fire.”
‘Bolt With Low Torque’
The problem was discovered in early November this year when Toyota received a field report alleging that a vehicle could not turn on. It was later found that a bolt within the inverter assembly had come loose and was lying on the circuit board.
“The supplier used this information to review the assemblies that were currently in its facility and found additional assemblies had a specific bolt with low torque,” due to a changed setting on a machine in Denso’s plant.
Remedy In The Works
Toyota says its engineers are working on a remedy, and the fix will be made free of charge. Notification letters are being mailed on January 30, 2026, to vehicle owners explaining the safety risk.
Here are the impacted vehicles:
- 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid (2,435 units produced between August 26, 2025, and November 18, 2025).
- 2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid (49,209 units produced between August 26, 2025, and November 18, 2025).
- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid (3,761 units produced between August 27, 2025, and November 25, 2025).
Cars Built In Kentucky Or Alabama
The affected vehicles were either assembled at Toyota’s plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, or at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA plant jointly owned in Madison, Alabama.
Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is 25TB15/25TA15, and this link will take you to the NHTSA recall portal for additional information.
Source: Toyota/NHTSA
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