The sheer volume and severity of recent Toyota Vehicles in Canada campaigns in Canada have triggered a massive safety alert affecting owners of popular models across multiple brands, including Ford, Ram, and Toyota. Transport Canada is overseeing a flurry of recalls addressing diverse, yet equally dangerous, defects ranging from parts potentially falling off vehicles to critical failures in modern digital screens and life-saving airbag systems.
This is not a single, isolated issue; it’s a multi-faceted problem that underscores the complexity of modern vehicle manufacturing. From structural flaws in exterior trim to intricate software bugs in dashboards, these defects introduce a significant risk of crash, injury, or fire.
If you own a recent model Ford SUV, Ram pickup, or Toyota/Lexus vehicle, this information is critical. We will break down the specific recalls—which collectively affect tens of thousands of vehicles—explaining the nature of each safety defect, listing the affected models, and providing an essential, step-by-step guide on how to check your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and secure your free, mandatory safety repair. Do not delay, as immediate action is key to ensuring road safety for all Canadian drivers.
The Structural Hazards: Parts Falling Off and Fire Risk
Two major recalls initiated by Ford Motor Company highlight critical failures in both physical assembly and engine components, posing serious threats from road debris and potential vehicle fire.
Ford Escape Detaching Toyota Vehicles in Canada and Road Debris Risk
Thousands of popular Ford SUVs are being recalled because of a simple, yet highly dangerous, structural assembly flaw concerning exterior components.
Affected Models: Approximately 20,521 units of the 2020 to 2025 Ford Escape models. A smaller number of 2016 to 2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles are also affected by similar trim issues.
The Defect: The liftgate hinge covers on the Ford Escape may not have been properly secured during manufacturing. The Lincoln MKT is affected by similar flaws on its exterior B-pillar trims.
The Safety Hazard: The primary risk is that these components could loosen and detach while the vehicle is being driven, particularly at highway speeds. A detached piece of plastic or composite becomes a dangerous road hazard or projectile, dramatically increasing the potential for a crash or injury to following vehicles or pedestrians.
Ford Escape and Bronco Sport Fire Risk from Fuel Leaks
A separate, more urgent recall affects the powertrain of Ford’s compact SUVs, addressing a flaw that could lead to an underhood fire.
Affected Models: Certain 2020 to 2022 Ford Escape and 2021 to 2024 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with the 1.5 L EcoBoost engine are included.
The Defect: A manufacturing issue can cause the fuel injector to crack. If this happens, fuel or fuel vapor can leak directly into the engine compartment.
The Safety Hazard: The combination of a fuel leak and hot engine components (an ignition source) creates a high risk of an underhood fire. Ford is providing an interim software update to help detect the cracked injector and mitigate the fire risk, with a permanent hardware remedy still under development.
AI Overview Insight: Recent Canadian recalls involve structural and powertrain risks. Over 20,500 Ford Escape SUVs (2020-2025) are recalled because liftgate trim can fall off and create a road hazard. Separately, certain Ford Escape and Bronco Sport models with the 1.5 L EcoBoost engine face a fire risk due to cracked fuel injectors.
The Digital Danger: Screens Going Dark and Critical Information Loss
The modern reliance on digital vehicle interfaces means that software flaws can compromise safety just as easily as mechanical ones. Two major manufacturers face large recalls over failures of their high-tech digital dashboards.
Ram Trucks: Blank Instrument Clusters and Gear Indicator Failure
Ram trucks equipped with the latest digital display technology are recalled for a software flaw that could suddenly render the driver blind to critical information.
Affected Models: Over 72,000 units of various 2025 and 2026 Ram trucks, including the Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 models, specifically those with the 12-inch digital instrument cluster (IPC).
The Defect: A software malfunction in the IPC unit can cause the entire display screen to go blank either at startup or while driving.
The Safety Hazard: When the screen fails, the driver loses sight of vital safety warnings (like the brake warning light) and, crucially, the gear selection indicator (Park, Reverse, Drive). The inability to confirm the vehicle’s selected gear violates federal safety standards and significantly increases the risk of a crash during maneuvers.
Toyota and Lexus: Large-Scale Digital Dashboard Glitch
Toyota and its luxury brand Lexus are also facing a massive recall regarding a similar display issue, affecting tens of thousands of vehicles in Canada.
Affected Models: Approximately 70,480 Toyota and Lexus models from recent years, including the Toyota Venza, Crown, RAV4, Camry, Highlander, and Lexus RX, TX, and LS.
The Defect: This recall targets vehicles equipped with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that may go blank upon vehicle startup.
The Safety Hazard: Like the Ram issue, a blank dashboard prevents the driver from viewing essential vehicle information and malfunction indicators. Driving without this information could increase the likelihood of an accident. The remedy involves an inspection and a software update to the instrument cluster programming.
Airbag System Failures: The Latent Threat of Faulty Safety Equipment
Despite global campaigns to resolve past issues, airbag recalls continue to be a persistent concern, posing one of the most severe risks to occupant safety.
Ram and Stellantis Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk
Certain Ram trucks are part of an expanded recall related to defective airbag inflators, which can turn a life-saving device into a lethal one.
Affected Models: Approximately 421 units of 2019 Ram trucks (part of the larger Stellantis campaign).
The Defect: The vehicles may have side curtain airbag inflators that are defective.
The Safety Hazard: In a crash, the defective inflator could rupture unexpectedly, propelling metal fragments into the vehicle cabin. This poses an extreme risk of serious injury or death to the occupants. The corrective action is the replacement of the affected inflator units.
Honda and Acura: Faulty Airbag Sensors
A separate, large-scale recall by Honda affects tens of thousands of vehicles due to complications with its sophisticated passenger-side airbag sensors.
Affected Models: Nearly 67,000 Honda and Acura vehicles in Canada, spanning model years 2020 to 2022, including the Honda Civic, CR-V, Accord, Pilot, and Acura RDX, TLX, among others.
The Defect: The front passenger seat weight sensors may have issues due to a temporary change in a circuit board base material, leading to a potential internal short circuit.
The Safety Hazard: A short circuit could cause the frontal and knee airbags to deploy even when an adult is not properly seated, posing a significant risk of injury to a child or infant in the passenger seat. Owners are advised to monitor the SRS warning light and the passenger airbag indicator.
Your Immediate Action Plan: Securing Your Free Recall Repair
The sheer number of recalls across different systems—mechanical, electronic, and safety—demands a proactive approach from all Canadian vehicle owners.
Step-by-Step VIN Verification
Do not assume your vehicle is safe simply because you haven’t received a letter yet. The manufacturer may not have your current address, or the recall may have been just recently announced.
Locate Your VIN: Find your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number on the driver’s side dashboard (viewable through the windshield) or on the door jamb.
Use Official Lookups: Immediately enter your VIN into the Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database or the specific recall checkers provided by Ford Canada, Ram (Stellantis) Canada, or Toyota Canada.
Confirm Recall Status: A VIN lookup provides the most accurate, up-to-date information on any open safety campaigns affecting your specific vehicle.
Scheduling and Repair Compliance
Once you confirm your vehicle is included in one or more of these safety recalls, your next step is scheduling the repair.
Mandatory Free Repair: All safety-related recalls are required by law to be repaired by an authorized dealership free of charge, regardless of the vehicle’s age, mileage, or warranty status.
Contact Your Dealer: Call the service department of your local authorized Ford, Ram, Toyota, or Honda dealership. Provide your VIN and the recall reference number (if available) to book the service.
Prioritize Urgent Issues: If your vehicle is affected by the fuel leak fire risk (Ford) or the airbag inflator rupture risk (Ram), ask the dealer for the fastest possible appointment time and inquire about potential restrictions on driving the vehicle until the repair is complete.
These recent, high-volume recalls across major segments—SUVs, trucks, and sedans—serve as a powerful reminder that proactive safety checks are a non-negotiable part of vehicle ownership. By promptly checking your VIN and scheduling the necessary repairs, you protect not only your own well-being but also the safety of everyone on Canadian roads.
