2026 Toyota RAV4 PLUG-IN Hybrid

On XXX, my wife, who is [XXX] pregnant, was driving our brand new 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid (approximately 20 miles on the odometer) at 45 mph on a highway when the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of propulsion. What failed: The hybrid powertrain system shut down while the vehicle was in motion. The instrument cluster displayed "Hybrid System Malfunction Do Not Tow This Vehicle" along with check engine light / a multitude of other warnings. The vehicle lost all propulsion and would not restart. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and is currently at a Toyota dealership. Safety risk: The vehicle lost motive power in active traffic on a 45 mph roadway. My wife was forced to coast to the shoulder with traffic approaching from behind. Sudden loss of propulsion at highway speed created a substantial risk of a rear-end collision and serious injury to my pregnant wife and our unborn child. Reproduction/confirmation: The vehicle was flatbed towed by Toyota Roadside Assistance to an authorized Toyota dealership, where it is being diagnosed. Other inspections: A case has been opened with the Toyota Brand Engagement Center. Police and insurance have not inspected the vehicle. Prior warnings: There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failure; the warnings appeared simultaneously with the loss of propulsion. I am aware of at least two other publicly reported incidents of 2026 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles displaying hybrid system malfunction warnings or losing power at under 2,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

On 7/7/2026, while driving on a local road at under 600 miles from purchase (590 on odometer), the dashboard displayed a warning that something was critically wrong and instructed the driver to pull over immediately. Once pulled over, the vehicle lost the ability to shift and became fully inoperable. Multiple alerts triggered simultaneously: Drive-Start Control System, AWD System, Check Engine, Integrated System Warning (TSS malfunction), and Hybrid System. The vehicle would not power on for 15-20 minutes, after which it powered on with some functionality restored (possibly an internal reboot), though alerts remained present. It came to rest partially obstructing a live traffic lane with no ability to move further off the road, creating a collision risk. Vehicle was flatbed towed to the dealership. Dealership held the vehicle one week (7/7-7/14). Technician confirmed alerts were genuine but could not reproduce the fault after ~38 miles of test driving. Only historical communication codes detected; no active diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present. Vehicle was returned with no repair and no identified cause. Unsure if dealer service center contacted Toyota engineering for help. This is the second distinct electrical/software anomaly in ~5 weeks. On 6/18/2026, the traction battery dropped to 0% overnight despite being securely plugged in at 63%; the rear liftgate was also found open unexpectedly. This resolved on its own; vehicle was not serviced. Vehicle is available for inspection.