by Lexus has announced a recall of over 144 thousand SUVs in the United States due to an issue with the rearview camera display. The main cause is a technical defect in the USB port, which lacks a capacitor to prevent voltage drop. It is important to note that hybrid vehicle modifications are not involved in this campaign, and dealers will fix all problematic vehicles free of charge.
Problem with Rearview Cameras
This is not the first recall of vehicles from various brands due to malfunctions of rearview cameras. These devices, which have become an integral part of safety and convenience, continue to demonstrate vulnerability to technical failures. In this case, Lexus discovered that in certain models, the USB charging port lacks a capacitor that compensates for voltage drop.
If the engine is running and the ignition was turned off and then back on within approximately eight seconds, a voltage drop may occur. This, in turn, can interrupt the rearview camera’s boot process. As a result, when reverse gear is engaged, the driver will see just a blank screen instead of an image.
Scale of the Recall
A total of 144,200 vehicles are affected by the recall. The list includes:
Which Other Models Are Involved
The recall also concerns Lexus NX350 SUVs from model years 2022–2025, totaling 43,774 units, manufactured from March 11, 2022, to August 6, 2025. The list also includes Lexus NX250 models from 2022–2025, another 25,529 vehicles manufactured during the same period.
The company emphasizes that the defect is limited exclusively to models with traditional gasoline engines, equipped with a specific multimedia system and USB charging unit. Hybrid versions have avoided the problem this time.
Investigation and Problem Resolution
The Japanese automaker began investigating this issue in early 2025 after receiving a series of reports from dealerships about faulty rearview cameras. Starting May 3, owners of all affected models will receive recall notifications and instructions to contact a Lexus dealer.
Dealerships will either update the camera software or completely replace the device itself. All work will be performed absolutely free of charge for vehicle owners.
This situation clearly demonstrates how dependent modern cars are on even the smallest electronic components. The absence of a single capacitor costing pennies can lead to a large-scale recall, costing the company millions and requiring time from tens of thousands of owners. It also highlights the importance of reliability in electronic systems, which are increasingly responsible for critical safety functions, such as visibility while reversing. Similar incidents can affect consumer trust in a brand traditionally associated with high quality and impeccable reliability.
