Toyota Forced to Recall 33,000 Cars Because Local Distributor Used Wrong Stickers
Toyota has been forced to recall 33,848 vehicles located in North America because a Texas-based distributor applied the wrong load-carrying capacity labels. The problem impacts 22 individual models. Despite the mistake causing no physical defect, it does mean the impacted automobiles are out of compliance with U.S. regulations.
The stickers have created a genuine problem for Toyota and could theoretically do the same for any owner that uses the incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) to determine what kind of load their vehicle can pull. Overloaded vehicles will universally see reduced performance — with maneuverability, braking, and acceleration all being diminished.
In many cases, going well beyond what your vehicle was rated for will also damage your vehicle. At a minimum, drivers would be placing excess strain on their engine and transmission, while likewise accelerating brake and tire wear. In extreme cases, these components (or even the chassis itself) can outright fail when pushed too far.
Problems stem from Gulf States Toyota, which distributes vehicle accessories. Based on the relevant documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the business had failed to update the obligatory labeling after adding components that increased vehicle weight — therefore impacting both GVWR and GCWR.
Looking at the safety recall report, it appears Gulf States Toyota either didn’t know that updated labels were required by law or affixed new labels but calculated resulting load limits incorrectly. The documents stipulate that the vehicles “display inaccurate added weight values on a load carrying capacity modification label.” But the estimated percentage of the over 33,000 vehicles with the defect is 100.
The company states that it is responsible for processing roughly 300,000 vehicles annually and works with over 150 dealerships spread across five states. With that in mind, it seems plausible that someone responsible for labeling compliance just dropped the ball for a couple years. However, Gulf States Toyota attributed the issue to “programming errors” that resulted in the system responsible for determining weight values using incorrect weights for multiple accessory parts. This then led to inaccurately calculated values to be used for the load carrying capacity modification label on some vehicles.
Gulf States Toyota said it realized something was amiss on July 25th, 2024. When an inspection of a single vehicle at the business' vehicle processing center revealed it had been improperly labeled. A subsequent internal investigation showed that many more units were likely out of regulatory noncompliance (FMVSS 110 S10.2) which requires labels to be accurate within 1 percent of a vehicle’s modified weight.
Impacted models include the 2025 Toyota BZ4X, 2025 Camry Hybrid, 2024 Corolla, 2023–2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid, 2023–2025 Crown, 2024 4Runner, 2023–2024 Highlander (and Highlander Hybrid), 2024 Grand Highlander (and Grand Highlander Hybrid), 2023–2024 GR Corolla, 2024 GR86, 2023 GR Supra, 2024 Land Cruiser Hybrid, 2023-2024 Prius, 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023–2024 Sequoia Hybrid, 2024 Tacoma (and Tacoma Hybrid), 2023–2024 Tundra (and Tundra Hybrid), as well as the 2023–2024 Venza Hybrid.
Odds are good that affected owners are probably already aware if their vehicle is impacted and their dealership will undoubtedly know by now. However, Toyota plans on notifying customers directly by September 16th. Keep an eye on the mailbox.
Those still unsure should probably just assume that their maximum load is probably a little less than specified on the labels (typically found on the door jamb) until they know for certain. But individuals can likewise take advantage of the NHTSA recalls website or Toyota's own recall website for additional information. Just have your VIN handy.
[Images: Toyota]
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Consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulations. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, he has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed about the automotive sector by national broadcasts, participated in a few amateur rallying events, and driven more rental cars than anyone ever should. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and learned to drive by twelve. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer and motorcycles.
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How pathetic, recalling stickers. Why anyone would choose a Toyoduh over Hyundai is becoming a bigger mystery every day.
Toyoduh has a nice racket - they don't actually sell anything - their "distributors" do which are actually revenue padders who arbitrarily inflate prices due to equipment requirements of the distributor. Then the dealers pad the already inflated distributor pricing.