Electric Cars

Toyota has initiated a significant safety recall impacting nearly 48,000 Tacoma trucks across the 2024 and 2025 model years. The core issue lies with the Bilstein shock absorbers, specifically their external oil reservoirs, which have shown a propensity to corrode and detach from the main damper body. This defect presents a serious risk, as a detached reservoir could fall onto the road, endangering both the Tacoma's occupants and other drivers.

Toyota Issues Urgent Recall for 2024-2025 Tacoma TRD Off-Road and Hybrid Models

Toyota's latest safety alert, identified under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number 26V514, targets 48,280 Tacoma vehicles. This includes 43,827 non-hybrid 2024-2025 Tacoma TRD Off-Road trucks and 4,453 units of the 2024 Hybrid TRD Off-Road model, alongside two additional 2025 hybrid units equipped with the same problematic Bilstein components. The affected trucks were manufactured between early January and late November 2024.

The critical flaw stems from the welded flange connecting the external oil reservoir to the shock body. This joint is susceptible to corrosion, which can weaken the weld and cause the reservoir to separate. Should this occur while the truck is in operation, the detached part could become hazardous road debris.

Toyota has announced that owner notification letters will begin to be dispatched around September 21, 2026, with most owners expected to receive them by early October. However, owners are not required to await postal notification. It is strongly recommended that current Tacoma owners verify if their vehicle is part of this recall by utilizing Toyota's official recall lookup tool or the NHTSA website's VIN check facility. Toyota's Brand Engagement Center is also available at 800-331-4331 to address any queries regarding scheduling inspections.

Upon inspection, dealerships will replace any corroded front and rear shock assemblies with an updated design, free of charge to the owner. This remediation process will commence as soon as the necessary replacement parts become available.

Given the potential safety implications, owners of affected TRD Off-Road Tacomas are advised to proactively check their vehicle identification numbers and schedule an appointment with their dealer. It is prudent to minimize heavy towing or rigorous off-road activities until the shocks have been thoroughly inspected and, if necessary, replaced.

In a dramatic turn of events, Dreame, a company primarily known for household appliances, has announced the closure of its automotive venture, 'Project Starry Sky.' This marks the end of a short-lived but highly publicized endeavor that promised to revolutionize the supercar landscape with extraordinary speed and battery innovations. The rapid downfall, occurring barely a year after its launch, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and scrutiny faced by new entrants in the high-stakes automotive industry, especially when bold claims lack tangible validation.

Dreame initiated its foray into the automotive sector in August 2025, quickly drawing attention with prototypes like the 'Starry Sky' supercar displayed at CES 2026, followed by the 'Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition'—dubbed a 'Rocket Car'—unveiled in San Francisco the following April. These presentations were accompanied by aggressive marketing, touting capabilities such as a 0-62 mph acceleration in just 0.9 seconds, powered by dual solid-fuel rocket boosters delivering 100 kilonewtons of thrust, and an advanced sulfide-based solid-state battery boasting over 450 Wh/kg energy density and a CLTC range exceeding 342 miles. The company reportedly swelled its automotive team to nearly 1,000 individuals, many lured from established brands with attractive compensation and titles, seemingly prioritizing talent acquisition and fundraising over concrete product development.

However, the reality behind these dazzling announcements was far less impressive. Internal reports and observations from industry outlets like 'CarNewsChina' revealed a critical disconnect between Dreame's ambitious projections and its actual progress. The so-called 'supercar' showcased at CES was merely an exterior shell, devoid of a functional chassis, and was maneuvered via remote control rather than an integrated drivetrain. None of the performance or battery specifications were independently verified or subjected to third-party testing, remaining confined to marketing materials rather than proven on a test track or in a laboratory setting. This lack of a certifiable performance EV was a significant red flag, underscoring a strategy that appeared to focus more on generating buzz and securing investments than on genuine engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

The situation further deteriorated when local Chinese authorities reportedly began scrutinizing the allocation of subsidies and investments within Dreame's automotive division. Such oversight, particularly concerning the expenditure of public funds for a project that had yet to yield a road-ready prototype, significantly curtailed the company's operational flexibility and hastened its demise. With most of its groundbreaking claims remaining unproven and its business model centered on marketing spectacle rather than verifiable innovation, Dreame's car manufacturing dream ultimately dissolved, leaving behind a few dozen staff tasked with resolving outstanding debts and liquidating associated entities.

In the aftermath, Dreame's CEO, Yu Hao, has redirected the company's focus back to its core businesses: vacuum cleaners, lawn robots, two-wheeled electric vehicles, and its 'Magic Atom' machines. The abrupt cessation of the 'Project Starry Sky' alongside other incubator initiatives signals a strategic realignment for the company, which continues to harbor aspirations for a future stock market listing. This episode serves as a powerful testament to the necessity of concrete evidence and rigorous testing in the high-performance electric vehicle domain, where unproven claims, however grand, invariably succumb to the demands of reality and regulatory scrutiny.