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2026 Toyota BZ BEV
The verdict
Several concerns worth a close look before buying.
Cons
12 of 17 owner complaints are about the electrical system. Tap it in the heatmap to read the real reports.
Why we say this — NHTSA — Owner Complaints
Pros
Nothing in this category from the official data.
Neutral
We couldn't reach the government recall source, so we're making no recall claims either way. Check back shortly.
Why we say this — NHTSA — Safety Recalls
The government hasn't published a crash-test rating for this exact vehicle. We won't invent one.
Why we say this — NHTSA — 5-Star Safety Ratings
Take this with you:
—Crash-test safety
—Safety recalls
0Owner complaints
0% involved a crash or fire
—Combined MPG
ℹ️ Recalls & complaints are reported per model — the same across every trim & engine. Fuel economy (and crash ratings by body style) can vary — use the pickers in those sections.
Safety Recalls
Official recall campaigns. Tap one to see the danger and the fix.
What is a recall, really?
A recall means the government made the manufacturer admit a safety defect — and the fix is free at any dealer, forever, even for used cars. Recalls range from a software update to "the steering wheel can detach," so read the danger line on each one. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof each recall was completed, or have a dealer run the VIN. Recalls also have a quieter cousin worth reading: technical service bulletins.
We couldn't reach the government recall source just now, so we can't say whether this vehicle has recalls. Try again shortly — we never guess.
Source: NHTSA — Safety Recalls · re-checked about every 24 hours
Where Owners Report Problems
Where owners report the most trouble — based on 17 complaints. Tap a part to read the real reports.
Raw count — best-sellers naturally log more complaints than rare cars, so judge it against the peer comparison below, not on its own.
Why don't we show complaints per vehicle sold?
Because no official source publishes sales counts per model — that data is sold by private firms, and the free numbers online are guesses. A rate built on a guessed denominator is a guess wearing a lab coat, so we refuse to show one. Instead we show comparisons where fleet size cancels out or is disclosed: the same model across its own years, the crash/fire severity mix, and the peer ranking below — each with its methodology attached.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 12):
SUPPLEMENT TO ODI COMPLAINT 11758090 (filed 8/19/2026). Two corrections, an identified component, and a verified manufacturer remedy. Full narrative attached. CORRECTIONS. (1) The prior 12V battery was replaced 5/29/2026, not June 2026; invoice 569207 is correct. (2) The complaint attributed the drain to an armed charging schedule. That was a proxy, not the cause. The trigger is ANY vehicle wake -- key-fob approach at 8 ft, end of drive, or converter pulse -- which arms a timer of exactly 180 minutes, after which a 0.87-0.9 A sawtooth discharge runs 4.6-9 hours, consuming up to 12 Ah. Verified 8 of 8 events 8/8-8/23/2026 by amp-hour shunt and independent voltage logger, one pre-registered in advance and correct to the minute. The defect is not avoidable by any owner setting. REMEDY. 8/24/2026, Cavender Toyota, repair order 604263, under Toyota Technical Assistance System case TA262360433: ignition off; vehicle removed from owner's Toyota app garage; ignition on 1 min (pending telematics upload completes); off 1 min; on; vehicle re-added to app garage. No parts, no charge, 10 minutes. The procedure operates only on the DCM/connected-services registration state, which identifies the component. VERIFICATION. Two deliberate fob wakes 8/24 (19:25, 23:10 CDT): no discharge at 180 minutes or overnight. Twelve days of normal use through 9/5/2026: zero events. TOYOTA'S OWN RECORDS CORROBORATE. The TAS advisory tells the technician to "set up for 3 hours to monitor," matching the measured 180-minute latency. Invoice 593644 records the 12V battery needing 2.5 hours of external charging. The TAS case records "Dealer Visit: 4," escalation reason "Multiple Repair." The dealer's 8-day monitoring (7/28-8/5) found nothing because a vehicle parked in a service lot is never woken: 1 mile accrued in 8 days. No recall or TSB communicates this remedy; case TA262360433 remains open, "Vehicle Repaired" blank. Full instrumented record available to ODI on request.
The 12-volt auxiliary battery system repeatedly discharges itself and has twice left the vehicle completely inoperative: 7/24/2026 (5.58 V at the battery, parked unplugged ~46 hours after the last drive) and 7/28/2026 (5.95 V, failure during an attempt to enter READY to drive). The 12V system controls the contactors connecting the high-voltage traction battery to the drive system; when it collapses the vehicle cannot be started or driven even though the traction pack holds charge. The dealer replaced the 12V battery under warranty in June 2026; failures continued, so the battery was not the cause. I instrumented the 12V system with two independent cross-validated meters (precision current/amp-hour shunt; voltage logger sampling every 2 minutes) and measured the mechanism over 12 continuous days (Aug 8-19, 2026). Findings: (1) A drain event begins exactly 3 hours (180 min, within one 2-minute sample, in all six measured events) after the most recent vehicle wake - a READY cycle or the key fob merely coming within detection range of the parked car. Each new wake restarts the 3-hour countdown. (2) The event draws ~0.87 A; four completed events ran 4.6-4.7 hours (~4 Ah each), one ran 9.2 hours (~8 Ah). (3) Events occur with all charging schedules verified off in both vehicle and phone app, the app closed, and the vehicle unplugged. (4) The vehicle never replenishes the 12V from the traction pack while parked, and undercharges it when driven (13.9 V ceiling, single 30-minute window). Ordinary daily use - driving, parking unplugged, or walking near the car with the fob - drains the battery to collapse within days. No owner setting prevents it. A 6-day dealer observation did not reproduce it because the vehicle sat undisturbed: no wake, no drain. No warning lamps preceded either failure. Instrumented logs attached; vehicle and data available for inspection on request.
The 12 volt battery exhibits a consistent parasitic drain. This is intermittent, but results in the vehicle failing to start. The failure to start is an issue because it is happening frequently and could endanger individuals who live in rural areas or areas with cold or hot climate. This issue has happened to us multiple times and Toyota has not recalled or provided guidance to its dealer service network. Many effected owners have a diagnostic data backed theory that links the drain on the 12 volt battery to Toyota digital communication module. That diagnostic can be found here. Toyota should be forced to investigate and fix this as it is a big safety concern for those who are in rural harsh climates! It is impacting a lot of new BZ & CHR owners, but has been a known issue with previous models and even covered by some media outlets. Because this is a parasitic drain there often isnt a low battery warning before the car won't start. Another reason this deserves attention.
The vehicle suffers from an overnight parasitic 12V battery drain caused by a continuous cloud activation/software communication loop involving the Data Communication Module (DCM) and telematics system. The vehicle has gone completely dead and required jumping on three separate occasions. The issue was inspected and documented on a service invoice by an authorized dealership, which confirmed the battery itself tested good and recommended disconnecting the mobile application link due to the DCM cloud activation causing battery depletion. The recurring dead 12V battery creates a safety hazard by leaving the vehicle completely inoperable and stranded without warning.
Vehicle experienced a catastrophic, terminal 12V auxiliary battery parasitic drain that flatlines the system to 0% while parked, creating a severe safety risk by stripping hazard lights and motive power. This is the 3rd identical electrical collapse within 4 weeks; a late June 12V battery replacement failed. The vehicle was in active daily use, not stored.Held out of service at Kings Toyota since July 6, 2026 (26+ days down). Technicians dismantled the cabin and placed the dashboard in the trunk to trace loops. Management confirmed hardware nonconformities in the Data Communication Module (DCM) and Body Control Module (BCM), which fail to enter sleep mode. Observable proof includes continuous, erroneous telemetry alerts stating windows are down/doors unlocked while fully locked and disassembled in the bay.Modules are on indefinite global backorder due to an inherent manufacturing defect. Parts are restricted likely to feed production and the mass rollout for NHTSA Campaign 26V393.DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS:Local tech efforts are directly guided by Toyota Corporate factory engineers who designed the vehicle, as local techs have never encountered this severe issue.Multiple other identical units are grounded on the dealer lot with identical 12V flatline failures.My vehicle (#XXX) is being used instructively by Toyota Corporate to advance understanding and map out repairs for the other units.To capture evading data, I complied with a request to delete the Toyota app from my iPhone so lead tech [XXX] could intercept these failing module notifications to aid factory engineers.Management confirmed that by design, if the 12V drops below 11V, the high-voltage motive battery is supposed to automatically recharge it. Here, the vehicle fails to initiate the loop, or the motive batteries enter a defensive "protective lockout mode," cutting power transfer and flatlining the car. This could contribute to motive battery failure /lockout if the defect continues to draw 12V battery down. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 5):
There is a foul smell emanating from the window areas of the vehicle after rain. The more rain, the more pronounced the odor. It smells similar to cat urine. I have been able to reproduce it many times, after it rains. I was reading online that the smell is caused by mold/mildew which is a huge safety concern. I had also read that this is somewhat of a common issue caused by the type of weatherstripping in use on the vehicle. When I called the dealership they were unaware of any issues concerning an odor around the windows after rain. I will continue to work with the dealership, but this should at least be a Technical Service Bulletin.
Vehicle experienced a catastrophic, terminal 12V auxiliary battery parasitic drain that flatlines the system to 0% while parked, creating a severe safety risk by stripping hazard lights and motive power. This is the 3rd identical electrical collapse within 4 weeks; a late June 12V battery replacement failed. The vehicle was in active daily use, not stored.Held out of service at Kings Toyota since July 6, 2026 (26+ days down). Technicians dismantled the cabin and placed the dashboard in the trunk to trace loops. Management confirmed hardware nonconformities in the Data Communication Module (DCM) and Body Control Module (BCM), which fail to enter sleep mode. Observable proof includes continuous, erroneous telemetry alerts stating windows are down/doors unlocked while fully locked and disassembled in the bay.Modules are on indefinite global backorder due to an inherent manufacturing defect. Parts are restricted likely to feed production and the mass rollout for NHTSA Campaign 26V393.DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS:Local tech efforts are directly guided by Toyota Corporate factory engineers who designed the vehicle, as local techs have never encountered this severe issue.Multiple other identical units are grounded on the dealer lot with identical 12V flatline failures.My vehicle (#XXX) is being used instructively by Toyota Corporate to advance understanding and map out repairs for the other units.To capture evading data, I complied with a request to delete the Toyota app from my iPhone so lead tech [XXX] could intercept these failing module notifications to aid factory engineers.Management confirmed that by design, if the 12V drops below 11V, the high-voltage motive battery is supposed to automatically recharge it. Here, the vehicle fails to initiate the loop, or the motive batteries enter a defensive "protective lockout mode," cutting power transfer and flatlining the car. This could contribute to motive battery failure /lockout if the defect continues to draw 12V battery down. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The CarPlay disconnects every 2-3 minutes and connects and the infotainment has problems or need software update.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle experienced a failure of the high-voltage battery control system (Battery ECU / main battery control module), resulting in loss of propulsion. The vehicle is currently at an authorized Toyota dealership and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle shut down while driving, causing an unexpected loss of power and propulsion. This created a dangerous situation due to the inability to safely maintain speed or maneuver in traffic, increasing the risk of a collision or death. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. An authorized Toyota dealership diagnosed the issue and confirmed that the Battery ECU / main battery control module required replacement. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Toyota dealership. The repair and replacement of the Battery ECU was authorized through Toyota’s service process. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning signs prior to the failure. The shutdown occurred suddenly while driving. Warning messages and service alerts appeared after following the failure.
The carplay when i play a music or talk someone after may be 10 to 15 mins it will cut the music or call. This incident happen since i get the car on a dealership ithink its normal but not the car is lessthan 1month
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 2 of 2):
Instrument cluster failed to turn on once car is turned on. Speedometer does not display and the electric charge does not display.
Backing into the center of my 2-car garage, half-way into the door, the car slammed on the brakes, displayed a large BRAKE warning and, on the 360 degree image, I saw a red "bar" to the immediate left of the driver's door. I thought I'd hit something, although I was still 20 feet from the back wall and there was at least 6 feet completely open on each side of the car. I pulled forward and it immediately slammed on the brakes again. I backed up and it slammed on the brakes again. I pulled forward and it slammed on the brakes again. Finally, I was able to nurse the car back, inches at a time. The car had never done that before, even when I parked closer to the shelves, before I cleared out the garage to be able to park in the center. The only thing I could think of was the 1/2 inch thick dried mud track from the left tires when I parked closer to the side. I scraped and swept out the mud and since then I've backed in twice without incident, with yellow bars on the 360 degree display where wire shelving is against both side walls of the garage, as I previously mentioned, about 6 feet away on each side of the car. The collision avoidance system is dangerously too sensitive in this vehicle and what Toyota calls Safety Sense 3.0 is the most UNSAFE system I've ever had the unfortunate opportunity to experience. I'm not alone. I've read numerous same or similar complaints online in Tundra and Corolla Cross discussion boards. I discussed this with the dealer's service manager and he blamed it on cold weather. In my opinion, Toyota should recall ALL vehicles with TSS 3.0 until they can either remove that feature or allow it to be disabled permanently and not require it to be disabled every time the car is started. I dread the thought of this happening while driving with a vehicle following closely behind!!!
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 1 of 1):
Vehicle experienced a catastrophic, terminal 12V auxiliary battery parasitic drain that flatlines the system to 0% while parked, creating a severe safety risk by stripping hazard lights and motive power. This is the 3rd identical electrical collapse within 4 weeks; a late June 12V battery replacement failed. The vehicle was in active daily use, not stored.Held out of service at Kings Toyota since July 6, 2026 (26+ days down). Technicians dismantled the cabin and placed the dashboard in the trunk to trace loops. Management confirmed hardware nonconformities in the Data Communication Module (DCM) and Body Control Module (BCM), which fail to enter sleep mode. Observable proof includes continuous, erroneous telemetry alerts stating windows are down/doors unlocked while fully locked and disassembled in the bay.Modules are on indefinite global backorder due to an inherent manufacturing defect. Parts are restricted likely to feed production and the mass rollout for NHTSA Campaign 26V393.DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS:Local tech efforts are directly guided by Toyota Corporate factory engineers who designed the vehicle, as local techs have never encountered this severe issue.Multiple other identical units are grounded on the dealer lot with identical 12V flatline failures.My vehicle (#XXX) is being used instructively by Toyota Corporate to advance understanding and map out repairs for the other units.To capture evading data, I complied with a request to delete the Toyota app from my iPhone so lead tech [XXX] could intercept these failing module notifications to aid factory engineers.Management confirmed that by design, if the 12V drops below 11V, the high-voltage motive battery is supposed to automatically recharge it. Here, the vehicle fails to initiate the loop, or the motive batteries enter a defensive "protective lockout mode," cutting power transfer and flatlining the car. This could contribute to motive battery failure /lockout if the defect continues to draw 12V battery down. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 1 of 1):
I am writing to formally report an unsafe design feature regarding the automatic headlight cleaner/washer system on the 2026 Toyota bZ.The vehicle is programmed to automatically spray windshield washer fluid onto the headlights when the headlights are active and the windshield washer lever is pulled. As a night-shift worker, I frequently operate this vehicle in complete darkness. When the high-pressure fluid sprays over the active headlight lenses, it immediately diffuses the light beam. This causes the forward headlights to dim drastically, rendering them almost completely unusable for several seconds until the water clears.This sudden, unprompted loss of forward visibility at highway speeds creates an immediate and severe driving hazard.Proposed Remedy Request:There is currently no setting available to the driver to turn off or modify this linked behavior. I request that Toyota issue a software update allowing owners an menu option to disable the automatic, windshield-linked headlight washing function so drivers can maintain constant headlight visibility at night.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 1 of 1):
Instrument cluster failed to turn on once car is turned on. Speedometer does not display and the electric charge does not display.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 1 of 1):
Instrument cluster failed to turn on once car is turned on. Speedometer does not display and the electric charge does not display.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 1 of 1):
I am writing to formally advise Toyota Customer Relations of significant, unresolved performance and safety issues regarding my 2026 Toyota bZ, purchased new on February 14, 2026. Despite having only 976 miles on the odometer, this vehicle is currently demonstrating a battery state of health (SOH) of 82.7% and a maximum range of only 140 miles at 100% charge—even in moderate 40-degree temperatures. Description of Technical Failures: Battery & Range: The vehicle provides a maximum range of 140 miles at full charge. On an 80-mile roundtrip commute, I am forced to drive without cabin heat to ensure I can return home without a mid-trip recharge. Internal diagnostics currently show an 82.7% battery health, which is unacceptable for a vehicle less than a month old. Regenerative Braking: The regeneration system is not functioning properly, failing to recoup energy as designed. Infotainment & Safety: I have experienced consistent Bluetooth disconnections, audio drops during calls, map freezing, and—most concerning—the screen blacking out and resetting while the vehicle is in motion. Social Media Documentation & Peer Reports: Due to the persistent nature of these issues, I have documented my experience on the official "Toyota bZ (2026)" Facebook owner groups. My post has received numerous responses from other owners experiencing similar defects, suggesting a systemic issue rather than an isolated incident.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 1 of 1):
I am writing to formally advise Toyota Customer Relations of significant, unresolved performance and safety issues regarding my 2026 Toyota bZ, purchased new on February 14, 2026. Despite having only 976 miles on the odometer, this vehicle is currently demonstrating a battery state of health (SOH) of 82.7% and a maximum range of only 140 miles at 100% charge—even in moderate 40-degree temperatures. Description of Technical Failures: Battery & Range: The vehicle provides a maximum range of 140 miles at full charge. On an 80-mile roundtrip commute, I am forced to drive without cabin heat to ensure I can return home without a mid-trip recharge. Internal diagnostics currently show an 82.7% battery health, which is unacceptable for a vehicle less than a month old. Regenerative Braking: The regeneration system is not functioning properly, failing to recoup energy as designed. Infotainment & Safety: I have experienced consistent Bluetooth disconnections, audio drops during calls, map freezing, and—most concerning—the screen blacking out and resetting while the vehicle is in motion. Social Media Documentation & Peer Reports: Due to the persistent nature of these issues, I have documented my experience on the official "Toyota bZ (2026)" Facebook owner groups. My post has received numerous responses from other owners experiencing similar defects, suggesting a systemic issue rather than an isolated incident.
Many crash/fire reportsSome crash/fire reportsNo crash/fire in reports
Color = how serious (crash/fire involvement) · number = how many (share of all this car's reports). Tap any part to read real owner complaints.
Source: NHTSA — Owner Complaints · re-checked about every 24 hours
Crash-Test Safety Ratings
Official U.S. government 5-star crash-test results.
How to read these stars
These come from the government physically crash-testing this vehicle — front, side, and rollover — and scoring it 1 to 5 stars. Ratings are per body style, so a sedan and its coupe twin can differ. If a vehicle shows no rating, it usually means the government never tested that exact configuration — untested is not the same as unsafe, and we'll never blur that line.
2026 TOYOTA BZ SUV BEV FWD
Source: NHTSA — 5-Star Safety Ratings · re-checked about every 24 hours
Fuel Economy (MPG)
Official EPA estimates — the real numbers, not the brochure.
No official EPA fuel-economy match for this exact model. Rather than show a guess, we're leaving it blank.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE — fueleconomy.gov · re-checked about every 24 hours