Weekly Wheelhouse - Auto News. Simplified Jan 14, 2026

Toyota Recall Expands, Jeep 4xe Issues, and New U.S. Truck Tariffs Explained

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Car

Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is a tough and stylish SUV that can drive on rough roads and trails. People love it because it can go almost anywhere, making it great for outdoor adventures.

Car

Toyota Land

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a big, strong SUV that is very comfortable and can drive on tough roads. It's known for lasting a long time and being very dependable.

Car

Lexus LX

The Lexus LX is a fancy SUV that is good for driving on rough roads but also has a lot of nice features inside. It's a luxury vehicle.

Car

Lexus GX

The Lexus GX is a mid-sized luxury SUV that can handle rough terrain while also being very comfortable and nice inside.

Car

Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra is a big truck that people use for work or to drive off-road. It's known for being tough and reliable.

Car

Jeep Wrangler 4xe

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is a special version of the Wrangler that can use both gas and electricity to drive, making it better for the environment.

Car

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is a fancy SUV that can run on both gas and electricity, making it more eco-friendly.

Term

thermal runaway

Thermal runaway happens when a battery gets too hot and can catch fire. It's dangerous and something to be careful about in electric cars.

Car

Jeep Grand

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a roomy SUV that feels nice inside and can also handle rough roads. It's a good choice for families who want comfort and some adventure.

Car

Dodge Durango

The Dodge Durango is a medium-sized SUV that has a lot of space inside and is powerful, making it good for families and towing.

Term

restomod

A restomod is an old car that has been fixed up and updated with new parts to make it run better while still looking like the original.

Company

Mopar

Mopar is a company that makes parts and accessories for cars made by Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram. They help improve car performance.

Concept

hydrogen fuel cell

A hydrogen fuel cell uses hydrogen to create electricity, which powers the vehicle. It’s a cleaner option than gasoline because it only produces water as waste.

Car

Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a smaller pickup truck that is tough and can be used for work or fun. It's popular because it's reliable and can handle rough conditions.

Car

Toyota 4Runner

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is a type of SUV that has been updated for the new model year. It’s built for off-road driving and has a tough look.

Term

iForce Max 2.4L Turbo Hybrid

The iForce Max 2.4L Turbo Hybrid is a type of engine from Toyota that uses both gas and electricity to run better and save fuel.

Part

suspension lift

A suspension lift makes a vehicle higher off the ground, which helps it drive better on rough terrain.

Car

Toyota Crown

The 2026 Toyota Crown Signia is a fancy car that comes with new color choices and a hybrid engine that helps it drive smoothly.

Car

Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is a family-friendly SUV that has a lot of room for passengers and cargo. It's a good choice for those who need space and want a safe vehicle.

Car

Mitsubishi Sigma

The Mitsubishi Sigma is a midsize SUV that is designed to be friendly to the environment. It has some special features that make it different from other SUVs.

Car

Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV that is very popular because it has a lot of space and is good on gas. It's a great choice for people who need a reliable vehicle for daily driving.

Car

2026 Lexus RZ

The 2026 Lexus RZ is an electric SUV that has been updated to use Tesla's charging stations, making it easier to charge when on the go.

Term

driver assistance tech

Driver assistance tech includes features in cars that help drivers stay safe and make driving easier, like warning you if you're drifting out of your lane.

Term

DC fast charging

DC fast charging is a way to charge electric cars quickly, so you can get back on the road faster, especially during long trips.

Term

infotainment screen

An infotainment screen is a screen in the car that shows things like music, maps, and other information to help you while driving.

Car

Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is a type of car that is good for both everyday driving and off-road adventures, like camping or hiking.

Term

electric SUV

An electric SUV is a type of SUV that runs on electricity instead of gas, which can be better for the environment and cheaper to drive.

Car

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is a small SUV that is comfortable and has a lot of features for the price. It's a good choice for people looking for a reliable and stylish vehicle.

Car

Kia EV9

The Kia EV9 is a new electric SUV from Kia, which means it runs on electricity instead of gasoline, making it more environmentally friendly.

Car

Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is a comfortable car that is good on gas and has a lot of space inside. Many people like it because it's dependable and easy to drive.

Car

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is a small car that is great on gas and fun to drive. It's a favorite for many people because it's reliable and easy to park.

Car

Acura ZDX

The Acura ZDX is a luxury SUV that has a sporty look and offers many comfort features, making it appealing to buyers who want something stylish.

Car

Acura MDX

The Acura MDX is a fancy SUV that has a lot of space and nice features. It's a good option for families who want something comfortable and stylish.

Brand

Lexus

Lexus is a luxury brand that is part of Toyota, making high-end cars that are known for their comfort and advanced features.

Car

Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco is a tough SUV that can go off-road and is designed for adventure. People love it because it looks cool and can handle rough trails.

Car

Mazda Cx5

The Mazda CX-5 is a small SUV that looks nice and is fun to drive. It's a great option for people who want a stylish vehicle that feels good on the road.

Term

horsepower

Horsepower is a way to measure how strong an engine is. The more horsepower an engine has, the faster and more powerful the car can be.

Term

pound-feet of torque

Pound-feet of torque tells you how much force an engine can use to turn things. More torque means better acceleration and the ability to pull heavier loads.

Term

turbo engine

A turbo engine is a type of engine that uses a special device called a turbocharger to make it more powerful. It helps the engine run better and use less fuel.

Term

all-wheel drive

All-wheel drive means that power goes to all four wheels of the car, which helps it grip the road better, especially in rain or snow.

Term

Hybrid Max setup

The Hybrid Max setup is a system that uses both a gas engine and electric motors to make the car more powerful and efficient.

Term

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is a collection of safety tools in Toyota cars that help prevent accidents. It includes things like alerts for when you might be drifting out of your lane or if you're getting too close to another vehicle.

Term

hybrid power

Hybrid power means the car can use both gas and electricity to run. This helps save fuel and is better for the environment compared to just using gas.

LIVE

Welcome to the weekly wheelhouse. We have big recalls from Toyota and Jeep. Toyota shows off hydrogen power at SEMA, mopars bringing muscle back, and a new tariff could shake up truck prices.

Plus, I'll wrap up with my take on the Jeep Wrangler Sahara and the Toyota Land Cruiser. So let's get started.

First, we're going to start with the Toyota recall. On November 6, 2025, Toyota announced a U.S. recall of approximately 127,000 conventional gas vehicles covering the model years of 2022 to 2024 Toyota Tundras, 2022 to 2024 Lexus LX, and the 2024 Lexus GX.

The cause? Toyota says that machining debris may not have been removed from the engine during production. That debris can cause engine knocking, rough running, no start, or loss of power, which at highway speeds is an increased crash risk.

The remedy is still under development, and Toyota says owner notifications will begin in early January of 2026. For more detailed information, check out this video from Tim at Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk, and it will be linked down in the description.

Next, we've got the Jeep Plug-In Hybrid Recall. On November 4, 2025, the U.S. Safety Regulator and parent company Stellantis announced a recall covering 320,065 Plug-In Hybrid SUVs. There's 228,221 Jeep Wrangler 4xE's from the date ranges of 2020 to 2025,

and 91,844 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE's from the date range of 2022 to 2026. The cause is high voltage battery pack cells may have separator damage leading to a potential thermal runaway or a fire risk.

It's estimated to be about 5% of the vehicles that may have the defect, so that's about 16,000 possible. Interim measures are that the owners are advised to park outdoors, avoid charging the Plug-In Hybrid until they have the remedy, and then look up started on November 6 on the NHTSA website.

Next, we've got some news from Dodge and Mopar. Dodge is reintroducing the Heritage B5 Blue paint option for the 2026 Durango model line. They launched this during the SEMA week push.

Mopar's direct connection program unveiled a revamped crate engine catalog including modernized supercharged 6.2 liter and 7 liter Hemi engines built for emission compliant restomods.

Next, we've got Toyota at SEMA 2025. Toyota showcased an unprecedented group of powertrain tech including gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric vehicles, and a hydrogen fuel cell concept.

The headliner was the Tacoma H2 Overland concept, a hydrogen electric powertrain truck that also provides onboard power outlets for your camp, job sites, and potentially your home in the future.

Next, we've got US tariffs on imported medium and heavy duty trucks. Effective November 1st, 2025, the US is imposing a 25% tariff on imported medium and heavy duty trucks classes 3 through 8 and a 10% tariff on buses.

The proclamation also allows import adjustment offsets for US assembled models. Manufacturers may apply for credit equal to 3.75% of the aggregated value of the US assembled trucks or engines from 2025 to 2030.

Now we'll move on to our OEM press room roundup. First out of Toyota, they announced that the 2026 Toyota 4Runner is entering its second year of production on the new redesign and they wanted to make sure that you understood that there is a new trail hunter model.

Now I believe this did come out last year, but they want to make sure that everyone knows there's a trail hunter model and the top trims of the 4Runner still use the iForce Max 2.4L Turbo Hybrid with about 326hp and 465lb-ft of torque.

The trail hunter version that I mentioned just a minute ago is built for serious off-roaders that it has a suspension lift and skid plates and an electronic rear locker.

We had another press release from Toyota. This one is on the 2026 Toyota Crown Signia. They're going to be offering two-tone paint choices, fresh interior materials and it still has the same smooth hybrid all-wheel drive system.

The Sigma sits between the RAV4 and the Highlander and kind of targets those drivers who want a sedan comfort with SUV height.

The next one is from Lexus on the 2026 Lexus RZ. Lexus refreshed the RZ electric SUV with access to the Tesla Supercharger Network.

You get a quicker DC fast charging and a new 12.3 inch infotainment screen and buyers also get upgraded driver assistance tech and a more comfortable interior.

Next we have Subaru. They reported 51,000 vehicles sold in October, marking two straight years of monthly sales growth. The Outback and Forester led the charge keeping Subaru's all-wheel drive reputation strong.

Kia is still making waves. They hit an all-time October record with over 66,000 vehicles sold, pushing 2025 to its strongest year ever.

Top sellers were the Telluride, Sportage and the new EV9 electric SUV. Kia credits its mix of hybrids and EVs for bringing new buyers to the showrooms.

October was a strong sales month for Honda and Acura. Honda sold about 115,000 vehicles in October with the CR-V Accord and the Civic leading the pack.

Acura sales rose 12% driven by the MDX and ZDX hybrids. Executives say steady hybrid demand and better inventory helped offset a slower EV market.

Automakers are finishing up 2025 strong. Toyota's bringing back icons Lexus is fixing EV charging and brands like Kia and Honda are proving that hybrids and family SUVs still run this market.

Let's see how they follow up as we head into the new year.

Now for the off the shelf ride's recent reviews. I reviewed the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sahara. It still has the classic boxy style with a little bit modern comfort.

The Sahara handles better on the road, but it still feels like a true Jeep off road.

Now I say it handles better, but it does still drive like a Jeep on the road. It's not quite to the level of the Ford Bronco on the road, but it is better than it ever has been before.

Now the tech inside, it looks great. It's laid out very well and you have plenty of comfort features on the Sahara.

So the best fit is for buyers who want real off road capability without paying for the Rubicon pricing.

If you'd like to see my review on the Jeep Wrangler Sahara, it will be linked down in the description.

Next I reviewed the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser. Now Toyota kind of went back to the basics on their Land Cruiser.

So they went a little bit smaller, a little boxier, a little more rugged, but they added a lot of modern features and modern technology into this.

It's quiet and comfortable out on the road and it's easy to maneuver around the trails.

Now it does have a family friendly cabin with a lot of technology, plenty of USB charging ports and plenty of cup holders.

So it's a modern return to the Land Cruiser's roots and a smart hybrid play for Toyota.

So if you'd like to see that review, it will be also linked down in the description.

Now for what I'm driving right now and reviewing for off the shelf rides.

That is the 2025 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Premium.

It has a 2.5 liter turbo engine with 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel.

If you don't use premium fuel, I believe it's like 221 horsepower.

Now all of the CX-5 comes standard with all-wheel drive.

And I'm not going to give you a whole lot of information because I want you guys to watch that review when it comes out.

So make sure that you do subscribe if you want to make sure that you see that review when it comes.

But it does have napple leather, heated and ventilated front seats.

Fuel economy is about 23 miles per gallon.

But any more than that, I don't want to show you everything or tell you everything right now.

So this is the sweet spot compact SUV that blends driving fun with family comfort.

And it's one of the few still offering real turbo punch.

And I'll go ahead and give you guys a little bit of insight into the next vehicle that I have coming in.

And that's going to be the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Night Shade Hybrid.

So the Night Shade Hybrid trim is going to have black accents all the way around in the grill, the roof rails and the wheels.

The powertrain is the Hybrid Max setup.

So it's still a 2.4 liter turbo with electric motors, 362 horsepower and 400 pound feet of torque.

That is going to be awesome because the one that I had previously had a smaller engine and it did not have the I-Force Max.

And I thought it lacked some power.

So we're going to test this one out and make sure that it does have plenty of power.

You've got towing up to 5,000 pounds and you have a big 12 inch screen inside.

Seven seat layout possible and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.

So this one is all about space, style and efficiency.

So I'll test out Toyota's hybrid power and see how it works out for you and your family.

Since I've only said it twice, I'll say it one more time.

Hit the subscribe button so you don't miss next week's weekly wheelhouse and drop your questions in the comment below.

And maybe I'll feature some of them in next week's episode.

So I will see you next week and you have a blessed day.

About this episode

Recent recalls from Toyota and Jeep dominate the discussion, with Toyota recalling over 127,000 vehicles due to potential engine issues and Jeep addressing fire risks in 320,065 Plug-In Hybrid SUVs. The episode also highlights Dodge's reintroduction of the Heritage B5 Blue paint and Toyota's innovative hydrogen power showcase at SEMA. Additionally, new U.S. tariffs on imported trucks could impact pricing. Reviews of the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sahara and Toyota Land Cruiser provide insights into their off-road capabilities and modern features.

all wheel drive DC fast charging driver assistance tech electric SUV horsepower Hybrid Max setup hybrid power hydrogen fuel cell iForce Max 2.4L Turbo Hybrid infotainment screen

Original notes

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In this Week 1 episode, we break down the biggest U.S. automotive news stories affecting buyers right now — including major Toyota and Jeep recalls, a new truck tariff that could impact prices, and what automakers are signaling heading into 2026.
Here’s what we cover:
A Toyota recall impacting Tundra, Lexus LX, and Lexus GX gas models
A Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe recall tied to battery fire risk
Mopar bringing muscle-car heritage back with new performance offerings
Toyota showcasing hydrogen power and multi-powertrain strategy at SEMA
A new 25% tariff on imported medium- and heavy-duty trucks — and why it matters

Toyota Engine Recall - https://youtu.be/BXIgoyWDEnE?si=TceKFZK_3P8LmPRz

My take on the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sahara - https://youtu.be/FRJcf7rTbtI

and 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser - https://youtu.be/bCDnsPGYxSs

What I’m driving now: 2025 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Premium

Up next: 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Nightshade Hybrid

No hype. No noise. Just the facts — and what they mean for real-world buyers.
Subscribe to Weekly Wheelhouse for weekly U.S. automotive news, recalls, pricing changes, and industry updates — all in plain English.

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