NEW DELHI — Toyota Kirloskar Motor launched a recall for 962 units of the Land Cruiser 300 in India on Wednesday, targeting a defect in the 10-speed automatic transmission’s control software. Company officials confirmed the action stems from potential disruptions in communication between the transmission control unit and the engine ECU.

The glitch involves linear solenoids that regulate gear shifts. Under specific driving conditions, a faulty solenoid combined with software irregularities can interrupt data flow. This may lead to unintended over-revving in certain gears, according to Toyota’s service bulletin.

Affected models include the diesel-powered Land Cruiser 300, built at Toyota’s Tahara plant in Japan from February 14, 2022, to October 27, 2023. The company identified 962 vehicles sold in India carrying chassis numbers starting with ATERAABM90 and ATERAAFP90. Owners will receive notification letters by the end of this month.

Dealerships nationwide will update the transmission control computer software free of charge. The fix requires about an hour, officials said. No accidents or injuries linked to the problem have surfaced in India so far.

Toyota emphasized vehicle safety as paramount. “We are proactively addressing this issue to ensure all customers enjoy a safe driving experience,” a spokesperson stated. The recall covers Prados and 70 Series models globally, but India’s batch focuses solely on the Land Cruiser 300.

India’s road transport ministry mandates such recalls under its vehicle recall policy. Manufacturers must report defects within two days of detection and cover all repair costs. Toyota joins a string of recent actions by global automakers in the country, including Hyundai’s fix for 98,000 i20 N Line cars last month over a seatbelt issue.

Drivers noticing erratic gear shifts or warning lights should visit authorized service centers immediately. Toyota’s hotline at 1800-425-0001 stands ready for inquiries. The Land Cruiser 300, priced from 2.3 crore rupees ($275,000), targets India’s luxury SUV market against rivals like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

This marks Toyota’s second recall for the Land Cruiser 300 in India within a year. Last October, the company addressed a fuel pump defect in 280 units. Globally, Toyota recalled over 100,000 of the model in 2023 for similar transmission woes, prompting software patches across markets.

India’s SUV sales hit record highs in 2024, with luxury segments growing 25%. Such recalls underscore quality control pressures on premium brands handling complex supply chains. Toyota holds a 4.5% share of India’s passenger vehicle market, trailing Maruti Suzuki but leading in hybrids.