Incident: Toyota Corolla Hatchback Recall Due to CVT Torque Converter Failure

Published Date: 2018-12-20

Postmortem Analysis
Timeline 1. The software failure incident involving the transmission issue in the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback happened in December 2018 [Article 78925].
System 1. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) in the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback [78925]
Responsible Organization 1. The software failure incident in the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback, specifically related to the continuously variable transmission issue, was caused by a fault in the torque converter [78925].
Impacted Organization 1. Owners of the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback [78925]
Software Causes 1. The software cause of the failure incident in the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback recall was related to the continuously variable transmission (CVT) system. The issue stemmed from a potential failure of the torque converter within the CVT, leading to the vehicle's inability to accelerate forward [78925].
Non-software Causes 1. The failure incident was caused by a problem with the hatchback's continuously variable transmission, specifically with the torque converter failing, leading to the vehicle's inability to accelerate forward [78925].
Impacts 1. The software failure incident in the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback's continuously variable transmission (CVT) could lead to the torque converter failing, resulting in the vehicle being unable to accelerate forward, potentially increasing the risk of a collision [78925].
Preventions 1. Implementing thorough testing procedures during the development phase to detect any potential issues with the continuously variable transmission software [78925]. 2. Conducting regular quality assurance checks on the torque converter software to ensure its reliability and functionality [78925]. 3. Implementing a proactive monitoring system that can detect early signs of potential failures in the transmission software, allowing for preemptive maintenance or recalls [78925].
Fixes 1. Dealership technicians will replace the CVT in its entirety with a new CVT featuring a revised torque converter to fix the software failure incident [78925].
References 1. Toyota's official recall announcement [78925]

Software Taxonomy of Faults

Category Option Rationale
Recurring unknown The article does not mention any software failure incident related to either one_organization or multiple_organization. Therefore, the information to answer this question is 'unknown'.
Phase (Design/Operation) design (a) The software failure incident in the article is related to the design phase. The issue with the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback's continuously variable transmission (CVT) is attributed to a potential failure of the torque converter, which affects the vehicle's ability to accelerate forward. This problem is linked to the design of the CVT system in the vehicle, specifically the torque converter component. The solution involves replacing the entire CVT with a new one featuring a revised torque converter, indicating a design flaw in the original system [78925]. (b) There is no information in the provided article indicating that the software failure incident is related to the operation phase or misuse of the system.
Boundary (Internal/External) within_system (a) The software failure incident related to the transmission issue in the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is within_system. The problem originates from the hatchback's continuously variable transmission, specifically the torque converter, which could fail and prevent the vehicle from accelerating forward [78925]. The fix for this issue involves replacing the entire CVT with a new one featuring a revised torque converter, indicating an internal system component failure.
Nature (Human/Non-human) non-human_actions (a) The software failure incident in this case is not related to non-human actions but rather to a mechanical issue with the continuously variable transmission (CVT) in the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. The problem stems from the torque converter potentially failing, which could prevent the vehicle from accelerating forward, increasing the risk of a collision [78925]. (b) The failure in this case is not attributed to human actions but rather to a potential flaw in the design or manufacturing of the CVT and torque converter in the vehicles, leading to the recall issued by Toyota to address the issue [78925].
Dimension (Hardware/Software) hardware (a) The software failure incident in the article is related to hardware. The issue with the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback's transmission, specifically the torque converter, is causing the vehicle to not be able to accelerate forward. This hardware component failure is leading to the recall and the need for replacement with a new CVT featuring a revised torque converter [78925].
Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) non-malicious The software failure incident reported in Article 78925 does not mention any malicious intent related to the transmission failure in the Toyota Corolla Hatchback. The issue with the continuously variable transmission (CVT) and torque converter is described as a non-malicious failure, likely due to a design or manufacturing flaw rather than intentional harm to the system. The recall issued by Toyota aims to address this non-malicious software failure to prevent potential safety risks for the vehicle owners [78925].
Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) unknown The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to poor decisions or accidental decisions. Therefore, the intent of the software failure incident in the provided articles is unknown.
Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) accidental (a) The software failure incident in the article is not related to development incompetence. The issue with the Toyota Corolla Hatchback's transmission was specifically identified as a problem with the torque converter, which could fail and prevent the vehicle from accelerating forward. The fix for this issue involves replacing the continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a new one featuring a revised torque converter. This indicates a technical fault rather than a failure due to development incompetence [78925]. (b) The software failure incident in the article is more aligned with an accidental failure. The article describes the problem with the hatchback's transmission as a chance for the torque converter to fail, leading to the vehicle's inability to accelerate forward. This issue is not attributed to intentional actions or incompetence but rather to a potential flaw in the torque converter that could occur accidentally during operation [78925].
Duration unknown The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to the Toyota Corolla Hatchback recall. Therefore, the duration of the software failure incident is unknown.
Behaviour unknown (a) crash: The software failure incident in the article is not described as a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions. The issue mentioned is related to the transmission failing, specifically the torque converter, which could prevent the vehicle from accelerating forward, potentially leading to a collision [78925]. (b) omission: The software failure incident is not attributed to the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s). The issue mentioned is related to a potential failure of the torque converter in the transmission, which could result in the vehicle not being able to accelerate forward [78925]. (c) timing: The software failure incident is not related to the system performing its intended functions correctly but too late or too early. The issue mentioned is about the potential failure of the torque converter in the transmission, affecting the vehicle's ability to accelerate forward [78925]. (d) value: The software failure incident is not described as a failure due to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. The issue mentioned is related to the torque converter in the transmission potentially failing, leading to the vehicle's inability to accelerate forward [78925]. (e) byzantine: The software failure incident is not characterized by the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions. The issue mentioned is specifically related to the torque converter in the transmission failing, which could impact the vehicle's ability to accelerate forward [78925]. (f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident in the article is not described as falling under the options (a) to (e). The issue mentioned is related to the potential failure of the torque converter in the transmission, which could result in the vehicle not being able to accelerate forward, potentially increasing the risk of a collision [78925].

IoT System Layer

Layer Option Rationale
Perception None None
Communication None None
Application None None

Other Details

Category Option Rationale
Consequence harm, theoretical_consequence The consequence of the software failure incident described in the article is related to potential harm. The article mentions that if the torque converter fails due to the software issue, the vehicle won't be able to accelerate forward. This could potentially lead to an increased chance of a collision, resulting in physical harm to individuals [78925].
Domain transportation (a) The failed system in the incident reported in Article 78925 is related to the transportation industry. The software failure incident specifically affected the transmission of the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback, which is a crucial component for the vehicle to move forward. The issue with the continuously variable transmission (CVT) and the torque converter could prevent the vehicle from accelerating, potentially leading to safety risks on the road [78925].

Sources

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