Isuzu and Hino recall electric buses over fire risk

Isuzu Motors and Hino Motors have submitted recall notices to Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism regarding their electric vehicle (EV) buses. The recall affects 134 Isuzu Erga EV units manufactured between November 26, 2024, and July 20, 2026, and 4 Hino Blue Ribbon Z EV units manufactured between March 12, 2025, and December 23, 2025.

The issue stems from improper soldering during the production of the power inverter. Repeated thermal expansion and contraction can cause cracks in the solder, leading to unstable contact and signal interference. This may result in an internal short circuit, causing the EV system warning light to activate and rendering the vehicle inoperable. In extreme cases, the short circuit could damage control circuits and cause wiring harnesses to overheat, potentially leading to a fire.

One fire incident involving an Erga EV was reported in Osaka in July 2026. Investigations suggested the fire may have been caused by an inverter short circuit rather than the battery itself. As a corrective measure, all affected vehicles will have their inverters replaced with new units. Technicians will also inspect fault codes and, in some instances, replace the Motor Control Unit (MCU).