The COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a safety alert over a recall affecting certain Toyota Land Cruiser LC 300 units, warning drivers across eastern and southern Africa to take immediate action over a transmission fault that could lead to dangerous driving conditions.
In a notice released on March 25, 2026, the Commission said it became aware of the issue through a statement by the National Consumer Commission, which announced a recall targeting 1,846 vehicles sold by Toyota South Africa Motors between January 8, 2025 and January 16, 2026.
The recall relates to an error in the programming of the Transmission Electronic Control Unit, also known as the T-ECU, a key component that manages the 10-speed automatic transmission system. The system relies on linear solenoids to control gear shifts.
According to the Commission, the fault may prevent the T-ECU and engine control unit from identifying or reporting a malfunction in the solenoids under certain driving conditions.
“According to Toyota, if a solenoid fails under certain driving conditions, the T-ECU and engine ECU may not detect or report the failure, resulting in the transmission over-revving in certain gears,” the Commission stated.
“This, in turn, could damage the transmission and result in the loss of power while driving at higher speeds.”
The notice further warns that continued damage could extend to the transmission housing, increasing the risk of fluid leakage.
“If certain damage occurs to the transmission housing, there is also the possibility for transmission fluid to leak from the housing,” the National Consumer Commission noted.
“This could increase the risk of a crash or fire if an ignition source is present.”
Owners of the affected vehicles have been advised to visit authorised Toyota dealerships for a software update to correct the issue. The repair will involve reprogramming the transmission ECU and will be carried out free of charge.
The Commission noted that although the recall was announced in South Africa, the affected vehicles may already be in circulation across COMESA member states through imports. It urged motorists in the region to confirm whether their vehicles fall within the affected batch.
“Consumers who are driving the affected series [should] cross-check and confirm whether their vehicles are among the recalled and follow the guidelines to get to the nearest dealership for redress,” the Commission advised.
The warning applies across all 21 member countries under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, including Kenya, Burundi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The Commission is acting under Regulation 66 of the COMESA Competition and Consumer Protection Regulations 2025.
It said it will continue working closely with Toyota and national authorities to ensure affected vehicle owners receive the necessary information and access to repairs.
The recall underscores the risks posed by vehicle defects in a region where cars frequently move across borders, with authorities cautioning that failure to act could expose drivers to transmission failure at high speeds and possible accidents.
