It’s been a rough start to life for the new 2023 Toyota bZ4X. Reviews haven’t been all that glowing for the electric crossover. It doesn’t have all that much in the way of range and features and then it came out that the battery might not charge properly in cold weather. Now, after a recall involving wheels that could fall off, Toyota is offering affected owners – among other choices – the option to buy the vehicle back.
In almost every recall situation that takes place, the automaker in question has a solution spelled out in the official recall itself. That wasn’t the case when Toyota recalled the bZ4X and from what we can tell, the brand still doesn’t have a fix for a hub bolt that can evidently loosen and fall off.
Now, the delay in finding a solution has caused Toyota to reach out to affected customers with a couple of options. First posted by one such owner over on Reddit, the letter offers customers the chance to have Toyota buy the vehicle back. The automaker also said that “The terms for the repurchase may vary, depending on your state and particular circumstances,” so there’s no specific dollar amount across the board.
Read More: Another Crashed 2023 Toyota bZ4x Surfaces For Sale
Of course, the other option it provides seems pretty enticing on its own. Toyota says that not only will it continue to offer a free loaner to affected customers but that it will also pay for their fuel while they use that loaner. In addition, they’ll provide a total credit of $5,000 towards the payment of the vehicle. Toyota will also extend complimentary charging at all EVgo-owned public stations through December 31st, 2024. On top of all of that, they’ll extend the vehicle’s warranty to cover the extended time it’s been parked due to the recall.
What we still don’t know is how this affects Subaru Solterras. While 258 bZ4Xs were affected by the recall in question, some 403 Solterras were also included. Of course, from what it looks like, none of those vehicles had made it into the hands of customers at the time with the recall notice instead affecting dealers only. We do wonder if those who had orders of the Solterra have any additional info on their delivery window.
We also reached out to Toyota to get a comment on the situation from its perspective. Here’s what they told us.
“The 2023 bZ4X recall includes a “do not drive” instruction and we are continuing to work diligently on a remedy. Toyota recognizes the inconvenience this has caused our customers and we are supporting them in several ways:
• First, we are asking our customers to contact an authorized Toyota dealer to arrange for pick-up and storage of their vehicle, at no cost, until a remedy is available
• While the customer is without their vehicle, we’re are offering to provide a loaner vehicle at no cost to them
• We are offering additional support until the remedy is available:
Reimbursement of fuel costs incurred related to operating the provided loaner vehicle
Provide customers with a total credit of $5,000 toward payments of their loan/lease or purchase price if the vehicle was paid in full
Provide additional time for complimentary charging at all EVgo-owned and operated public stations nationwide, through December 31, 2024
Provide an extension to their vehicle’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty based on the period of time that the vehicle is not able to be driven due to the recall (from the recall announcement date of June 23, 2022 through a date in the future when the remedy is announced).
We know that our customers have many choices when it comes to purchasing a vehicle. We appreciate their loyalty and are supporting them through this recall. However, if a customer does not want to proceed with the provided options, we will offer to repurchase their bZ4X. The terms for the repurchase may vary, depending on their state and particular circumstances.”