2024 Toyota bZ4X Owner Complaints

On two occasions in the last month, when attempting to start the car, it doesn’t start, the interior dash lights start flickering, and a notification displays stating, “Parking brake cannot be applied”. I then have to “jump” the 12-volt battery. The main issue is the notification stating the parking brake cannot be applied because before shutting off the car the night before, I make sure the parking brake IS applied. However, it seems like the 12-volt battery is dead when I attempt to start it the following day; it automatically turns off the parking brake or at least notifies me that it is in error based on the message I receive.

10/9/2024

2024 BZ4x, 590 miles on ODO. Purchased the car on Sunday, 03/23/2025. Monday Morning - Turning on the Car (In my garage). I had it in "ready" while I tried to connect my Toyota app to the car, While talking to Toyota engagement for help.. (Never was able to change the primary driver on it.) The accessory lights flickered and a bell went on and off. Then the car went totally black. Toyota called a tow truck driver. He jumped the 12 volt. It gave it enough juice so I put in reverse and there was a Loud Grinding noise. "Brake System Malfunction- Take to Dealer." Tow truck loaded it up, grinding and all, took it to Toyota. There, found out the 12 volt battery died. No reported grinding when off loading or at the dealer. Toyota Dealer replaced the 12 volt battery on Monday 03/24/2025. Picked it up, drove it around about 40 miles and parked it in my garage. Parked with >80% battery on Lith battery Monday night 21:00. Sat in the Garage on Tuesday. Wednesday Morning 08:00am, 12 Volt COMPLETLY DEAD. It's back at the dealership. MY safety concern - Does this mean the Brake system will "malfunction" if the 12 volt battery isn't holding enough charge to operate the BRAKE SYSTEM?! Not sure if it means the parking brake or the actual brakes.

3/26/2025

Few days ago I was driving in the rain . suddenly i heard a scratching noise > i stopped the vehicle and looked underneath i saw a plastic sheet hanging . this happened while driving on the flash of water and due to impact of water because toyota used a very cheap quality sheet underneath for protection with plastic bolts . i took the vehicle to the dealer ship and they refuse to fix it under warranty stating that it happened due to impact which is not covered. the cost is $550 to fix it. this all happened due to cheap quality plastic sheet and not my fault . toyota should cover it under warranty.

8/27/2024

**Report to NHTSA – 12-Volt Battery Issue in Toyota BZ4X** **Vehicle Information:** - **Make & Model:** Toyota BZ4X - **Issue:** 12-Volt Battery Drain **Description of the Problem:** I have been experiencing repeated issues with the 12-volt battery in my Toyota BZ4X. If the vehicle is not driven for one or two days, the battery depletes, requiring a jump-start to operate. I have taken the car to the dealership for inspection on two separate occasions—once in November and again recently. On both visits, the dealer was unable to identify any issues. However, despite these inspections, the problem persists. Most recently, after taking the vehicle to the dealership, the car once again failed to start the following day and required another jump-start. **Safety Concern:** This recurring battery failure presents a significant safety risk, particularly if the vehicle becomes inoperable in a remote location or in an emergency situation. The inability to start the car reliably raises concerns about potential hazards, especially in extreme weather conditions or areas with limited access to assistance. **Request for Investigation:** I urge the NHTSA to investigate this issue further, as it affects the reliability and safety of the vehicle. A resolution is necessary to ensure that the 12-volt battery functions as intended without leaving drivers stranded.

2/22/2025

Few days ago I was driving in the rain . suddenly i heard a scratching noise > i stopped the vehicle and looked underneath i saw a plastic sheet hanging . this happened while driving on the flash of water and due to impact of water because toyota used a very cheap quality sheet underneath for protection with plastic bolts . i took the vehicle to the dealer ship and they refuse to fix it under warranty stating that it happened due to impact which is not covered. the cost is $550 to fix it. this all happened due to cheap quality plastic sheet and not my fault . toyota should cover it under warranty.

8/27/2024

I was driving very slowly (5 to 10 MPH) through a rain storm on May 28th. The water rose to about 6 inches (fairly still, not rushing water), and I heard a loud and alarming noise under the car. I drove on for one block on a neighborhood street until I could get to higher ground. I discovered that the force of the water pulled down the fabric and plastic shrouds from the wheel-well into the wheels. The cloth and plastic shrouds were then pulled under the wheels, and the whole connected assembly was ripped off the car. This caused damage to both front fenders, the front bumper, and possibly to the safety sensors behind the bumper. I took it to my local Toyota dealer the next day, and they said this happens all the time, and that it will cost at least $2,000 to repair -- maybe double that if the safety sensors behind the bumper were damaged. I posted to some forums on-line about this problem, and heard from many other owners of the BZ4X and the identical car from Subaru (Soltera) that they had experienced the same thing. The Toyota dealer is correct -- this happens all the time -- it is clearly a serious design flaw, and it is a serious safety concern. The Toyota dealer has said that this is my problem, not theirs. The Toyota USA customer-service said the same thing. They clearly do not want to accept responsibility for a badly designed front-bumper assembly. This car has less than 3,000 miles on it, and despite my extremely cautious driving, it is already falling apart.

6/2/2025

2024 BZ4x, 590 miles on ODO. Purchased the car on Sunday, 03/23/2025. Monday Morning - Turning on the Car (In my garage). I had it in "ready" while I tried to connect my Toyota app to the car, While talking to Toyota engagement for help.. (Never was able to change the primary driver on it.) The accessory lights flickered and a bell went on and off. Then the car went totally black. Toyota called a tow truck driver. He jumped the 12 volt. It gave it enough juice so I put in reverse and there was a Loud Grinding noise. "Brake System Malfunction- Take to Dealer." Tow truck loaded it up, grinding and all, took it to Toyota. There, found out the 12 volt battery died. No reported grinding when off loading or at the dealer. Toyota Dealer replaced the 12 volt battery on Monday 03/24/2025. Picked it up, drove it around about 40 miles and parked it in my garage. Parked with >80% battery on Lith battery Monday night 21:00. Sat in the Garage on Tuesday. Wednesday Morning 08:00am, 12 Volt COMPLETLY DEAD. It's back at the dealership. MY safety concern - Does this mean the Brake system will "malfunction" if the 12 volt battery isn't holding enough charge to operate the BRAKE SYSTEM?! Not sure if it means the parking brake or the actual brakes.

3/26/2025

The vehicle experienced repeated electrical and brake system malfunctions that pose serious safety concerns. On multiple occasions, the brake pedal became stiff and unresponsive while driving, and the parking brake system failed to engage properly. In addition, the ignition system often failed to start, even when the battery and all power indicators appeared normal. At times, the vehicle’s electrical system completely shut down without warning — causing loss of power functions, dashboard lights, and essential safety controls. These failures occur intermittently and unpredictably, making the vehicle unreliable and unsafe to operate. The issue has been reported to the dealer for inspection, but the problem continues to occur. It appears to be related to the vehicle’s electronic brake control and ignition system. This malfunction places the driver and others at potential risk, especially if the brake system or electrical components fail while the vehicle is in motion.

10/24/2025

Steering system, potentially related to electric power steering (EPS) or driver-assist systems (lane keeping or steering assist). While completing a routine right-hand turn, my husband began to straighten the steering wheel when the steering system suddenly and sharply turned further right without any driver input. This caused the vehicle to strike a curb, damaging both passenger-side wheels and the front tire. There were no warning lights or indicators, and road and weather conditions were normal. The uncommanded steering input appeared to come from the vehicle itself. The incident resulted in loss of directional control and could have been severe had another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist been present. This behavior reflects a serious and unexpected failure in the steering or driver-assist system, posing a direct threat to driver and public safety. I reported the incident to my local Toyota dealership. I have since signed Toyota’s EDR (Event Data Recorder) consent form, and an official inspection has occurred but they haven't provided detail. They also did not make me aware the inspection was taking place and did it without coordination. They have not confirmed that this has happened before. A similar, though less severe, issue occurred previously while I was driving on the highway. As I approached a merging lane to my right, the car suddenly pulled sharply to the right, seemingly misinterpreting the lane markings or misjudging its position. There were no vehicles next to me at the time, and I was able to regain control. While it did not result in a collision, it was alarming and appears to have been a driver-assist or steering control malfunction.

5/29/2025

I am writing to formally report ongoing issues with my Toyota bZ4X that raise serious safety concerns. The vehicle has been inspected twice by authorized Toyota service centers, and each time I have been told that no problems were found. However, the following issues continue to persist:     1.    Inaccurate Battery Readings: The electric system appears to malfunction regularly. The displayed battery percentage and estimated mileage are inconsistent and unreliable. For example, the battery may indicate a higher percentage while simultaneously showing a drastically reduced range, or vice versa.     2.    Lane Departure Warning Malfunction: The lane departure system activates erratically, sometimes without any lane deviation. At other times, it fails to engage when it should, which compromises the vehicle’s safety features.     3.    Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Alerts: Warning lights frequently come on indicating that the tires are losing pressure, even after verifying that tire pressures are within recommended levels. These warnings occur unpredictably and without cause. Despite having the vehicle inspected twice, I have not received a resolution or acknowledgment of any defects. Toyota has stated that nothing is wrong with the vehicle, but the issues are ongoing and continue to impact the car’s drivability and safety. These problems are not only frustrating but also present a potential risk while driving. I am requesting that Toyota take this matter seriously, investigate the root cause of these electrical system malfunctions, and provide a resolution that ensures the vehicle operates safely and reliably.

10/8/2025

I was driving Right before MLK exit 285 southbound around 6:00 pm on 05–22-24 hit the biggest pot hole and my tire burst.tire size 235/50R201 had drive very slow to get of the exit on Campbellton to get tire shop fixe my tire.

5/27/2024

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota BZ4X. The contact stated that the battery failed to retain a charge, resulting in the doors not unlocking as needed. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the battery, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, who determined that the battery had failed again. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,389.

2/13/2025

2024 BZ4x, 590 miles on ODO. Purchased the car on Sunday, 03/23/2025. Monday Morning - Turning on the Car (In my garage). I had it in "ready" while I tried to connect my Toyota app to the car, While talking to Toyota engagement for help.. (Never was able to change the primary driver on it.) The accessory lights flickered and a bell went on and off. Then the car went totally black. Toyota called a tow truck driver. He jumped the 12 volt. It gave it enough juice so I put in reverse and there was a Loud Grinding noise. "Brake System Malfunction- Take to Dealer." Tow truck loaded it up, grinding and all, took it to Toyota. There, found out the 12 volt battery died. No reported grinding when off loading or at the dealer. Toyota Dealer replaced the 12 volt battery on Monday 03/24/2025. Picked it up, drove it around about 40 miles and parked it in my garage. Parked with >80% battery on Lith battery Monday night 21:00. Sat in the Garage on Tuesday. Wednesday Morning 08:00am, 12 Volt COMPLETLY DEAD. It's back at the dealership. MY safety concern - Does this mean the Brake system will "malfunction" if the 12 volt battery isn't holding enough charge to operate the BRAKE SYSTEM?! Not sure if it means the parking brake or the actual brakes.

3/26/2025

Steering system, potentially related to electric power steering (EPS) or driver-assist systems (lane keeping or steering assist). While completing a routine right-hand turn, my husband began to straighten the steering wheel when the steering system suddenly and sharply turned further right without any driver input. This caused the vehicle to strike a curb, damaging both passenger-side wheels and the front tire. There were no warning lights or indicators, and road and weather conditions were normal. The uncommanded steering input appeared to come from the vehicle itself. The incident resulted in loss of directional control and could have been severe had another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist been present. This behavior reflects a serious and unexpected failure in the steering or driver-assist system, posing a direct threat to driver and public safety. I reported the incident to my local Toyota dealership. I have since signed Toyota’s EDR (Event Data Recorder) consent form, and an official inspection has occurred but they haven't provided detail. They also did not make me aware the inspection was taking place and did it without coordination. They have not confirmed that this has happened before. A similar, though less severe, issue occurred previously while I was driving on the highway. As I approached a merging lane to my right, the car suddenly pulled sharply to the right, seemingly misinterpreting the lane markings or misjudging its position. There were no vehicles next to me at the time, and I was able to regain control. While it did not result in a collision, it was alarming and appears to have been a driver-assist or steering control malfunction.

5/29/2025

Steering system, potentially related to electric power steering (EPS) or driver-assist systems (lane keeping or steering assist). While completing a routine right-hand turn, my husband began to straighten the steering wheel when the steering system suddenly and sharply turned further right without any driver input. This caused the vehicle to strike a curb, damaging both passenger-side wheels and the front tire. There were no warning lights or indicators, and road and weather conditions were normal. The uncommanded steering input appeared to come from the vehicle itself. The incident resulted in loss of directional control and could have been severe had another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist been present. This behavior reflects a serious and unexpected failure in the steering or driver-assist system, posing a direct threat to driver and public safety. I reported the incident to my local Toyota dealership. I have since signed Toyota’s EDR (Event Data Recorder) consent form, and an official inspection has occurred but they haven't provided detail. They also did not make me aware the inspection was taking place and did it without coordination. They have not confirmed that this has happened before. A similar, though less severe, issue occurred previously while I was driving on the highway. As I approached a merging lane to my right, the car suddenly pulled sharply to the right, seemingly misinterpreting the lane markings or misjudging its position. There were no vehicles next to me at the time, and I was able to regain control. While it did not result in a collision, it was alarming and appears to have been a driver-assist or steering control malfunction.

5/29/2025

On [XXX], while driving through a common roadway puddle at a safe speed, the front bumper on my BZ4X detached from the undercarriage shield and tore away from the clips. This type of damage is clearly disproportionate to the conditions and reflects a deficiency in structural design. After researching this issue, I found that many other BZ4X owners have experienced the same bumper detachment and undercarriage shield failure under minimal driving conditions. These consistent reports indicate a widespread manufacturing defect, not isolated driver error or negligence. For example: On multiple owner forums and complaint sites like NHTSA.gov and Reddit, BZ4X owners have documented similar instances of bumpers tearing off from puddles or light snow. A widely circulated post on Reddit’s r/Toyota described a nearly identical issue, stating that “driving through a shallow puddle at a slow speed caused the bumper to rip off like paper.” The issue has even reached automotive press outlets and consumer advocate blogs, highlighting growing concern over the poor mounting of the bumper and the fragile undercarriage shield. Given the consistency and severity of these reports, this clearly represents a design flaw. The bumper is failing to withstand routine driving conditions, and this undermines not only the durability of the vehicle but also customer confidence and safety. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

6/14/2025

On [XXX], while driving through a common roadway puddle at a safe speed, the front bumper on my BZ4X detached from the undercarriage shield and tore away from the clips. This type of damage is clearly disproportionate to the conditions and reflects a deficiency in structural design. After researching this issue, I found that many other BZ4X owners have experienced the same bumper detachment and undercarriage shield failure under minimal driving conditions. These consistent reports indicate a widespread manufacturing defect, not isolated driver error or negligence. For example: On multiple owner forums and complaint sites like NHTSA.gov and Reddit, BZ4X owners have documented similar instances of bumpers tearing off from puddles or light snow. A widely circulated post on Reddit’s r/Toyota described a nearly identical issue, stating that “driving through a shallow puddle at a slow speed caused the bumper to rip off like paper.” The issue has even reached automotive press outlets and consumer advocate blogs, highlighting growing concern over the poor mounting of the bumper and the fragile undercarriage shield. Given the consistency and severity of these reports, this clearly represents a design flaw. The bumper is failing to withstand routine driving conditions, and this undermines not only the durability of the vehicle but also customer confidence and safety. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

6/14/2025

Driver sustained severe hand injuries due to airbag deployment while the hand was on the horn pad. Possible over-aggressive deployment or module failure. Incident occurred on [XXX], while driving a 2024 Toyota BZ4X (VIN: [XXX] ). Requesting formal investigation into the airbag system and front structural integrity of this vehicle model. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

7/23/2025

I am very concerned about potential accidents for my self and others driving this vehicle. I have multiple close call accidents because the left view mirror does't have proper view to see cars on left side especially if they are close. The way seat and the side of the vehicle is shaped its very hard to still see manually with head turned to the left rear side. The mirror or the shape or position needs to be changed for safety to prevent accidents.

8/21/2025

I am very concerned about potential accidents for my self and others driving this vehicle. I have multiple close call accidents because the left view mirror does't have proper view to see cars on left side especially if they are close. The way seat and the side of the vehicle is shaped its very hard to still see manually with head turned to the left rear side. The mirror or the shape or position needs to be changed for safety to prevent accidents.

8/21/2025

I am very concerned about potential accidents for my self and others driving this vehicle. I have multiple close call accidents because the left view mirror does't have proper view to see cars on left side especially if they are close. The way seat and the side of the vehicle is shaped its very hard to still see manually with head turned to the left rear side. The mirror or the shape or position needs to be changed for safety to prevent accidents.

8/21/2025

I am writing to formally report ongoing issues with my Toyota bZ4X that raise serious safety concerns. The vehicle has been inspected twice by authorized Toyota service centers, and each time I have been told that no problems were found. However, the following issues continue to persist:     1.    Inaccurate Battery Readings: The electric system appears to malfunction regularly. The displayed battery percentage and estimated mileage are inconsistent and unreliable. For example, the battery may indicate a higher percentage while simultaneously showing a drastically reduced range, or vice versa.     2.    Lane Departure Warning Malfunction: The lane departure system activates erratically, sometimes without any lane deviation. At other times, it fails to engage when it should, which compromises the vehicle’s safety features.     3.    Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Alerts: Warning lights frequently come on indicating that the tires are losing pressure, even after verifying that tire pressures are within recommended levels. These warnings occur unpredictably and without cause. Despite having the vehicle inspected twice, I have not received a resolution or acknowledgment of any defects. Toyota has stated that nothing is wrong with the vehicle, but the issues are ongoing and continue to impact the car’s drivability and safety. These problems are not only frustrating but also present a potential risk while driving. I am requesting that Toyota take this matter seriously, investigate the root cause of these electrical system malfunctions, and provide a resolution that ensures the vehicle operates safely and reliably.

10/8/2025

I LEASED A TOYOTA BZ4X THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS AND OTHER LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING AND FOB IS NOT TOUCHED. I TOOK CAR IN TO BE SERVICE FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY $295 AND I AM UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS SOLD THE CAR BRAND NEW AND I DON'T THINK IT IS. I KEEP HEARING PEOPLE TALKING WHEN THE CAR IS POWERED OFF. I REPORTED THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS IGNORED. MY CAR KEEPS TRYING TO CUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THE CAR STARTS SHAKING, ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON THEN GO OFF. I WAS TOLD I COULD GET MY CAR SERVICE ANYWHERE FOR NO CHARGE UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TURNED AWAY. ITS N BEEN A YEAR AND NO SERVICE CAR HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED AT ALL. I TOOK IT 2 TIMES FOR SERVICE AND THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN SERVICE. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE NEW.

11/17/2025

I LEASED A TOYOTA BZ4X THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS AND OTHER LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING AND FOB IS NOT TOUCHED. I TOOK CAR IN TO BE SERVICE FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY $295 AND I AM UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS SOLD THE CAR BRAND NEW AND I DON'T THINK IT IS. I KEEP HEARING PEOPLE TALKING WHEN THE CAR IS POWERED OFF. I REPORTED THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS IGNORED. MY CAR KEEPS TRYING TO CUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THE CAR STARTS SHAKING, ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON THEN GO OFF. I WAS TOLD I COULD GET MY CAR SERVICE ANYWHERE FOR NO CHARGE UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TURNED AWAY. ITS N BEEN A YEAR AND NO SERVICE CAR HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED AT ALL. I TOOK IT 2 TIMES FOR SERVICE AND THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN SERVICE. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE NEW.

11/17/2025