The is no . Earlier this year, over half a million of the popular hybrids for steering shaft issues (after back in 2011). And the was the subject of a year ago. Today, announced the latest Prius-related recall, this one connected to the brakes.
The new voluntary recall involves 87,000 vehicles, an unspecified mix of 2010 Prius vehicles as well as HS 250h hybrids. Toyota says the problem lies in the brake pressure accumulator, which “may develop a fatigue crack on an internal part due to vibration.” Toyota says it has not received any reports of accidents or injuries due to the issue, but it will now notify affected vehicle owners via mail.
Now, hold on. This recall isn’t quite as serious as it sounds. Yes, is recalling 11,489 models from the 2007 to 2013 model years, and yes, it’s because the vehicles, as , “fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, ‘Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.’” But read the fine print and you’ll see the catch: This recall is only for vehicles fitted with the automaker’s auxiliary lighting kit that can be mounted to the front bumper.
Basically, the auxiliary lamp assemblies use 55-watt bulbs, and when these are turned on in conjunction with the upper beam headlamps, it’s a pretty blinding sight. NHTSA states that excessively bright lights can blind other drivers, increasing the risk for a crash.
To remedy the situation, Toyota will replace the 55-watt bulbs with cooler 35-watt units. The recall is expected to begin later this month. for the full details in the NHTSA report.
has announced that it will be issuing a substantial recall of the for a problem that could cause the front seatbelt retractors to separate from the vehicle body. This recall will apply to all FJ Cruisers – from 2007 through 2013 – totaling around 209,000 units.
The problem stems from the FJ Cruiser’s pillarless door opening design that has the front-occupant seatbelts attached to the rear doors. Toyota says that when the rear doors are “repeatedly and forcefully closed,” the retractor could completely separate from the door frame.
While there is no information about this recall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration yet, Toyota says that there have been no accidents or injuries associated with this issue. No specific fix or recall date are given, but the official press release is posted .
The Detroit News is reporting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will investigate some 561,000 models for potentially defective steering shafts. The affected hybrid models are from the 2004-2009 model years. The story indicates that NHTSA is weighing whether or not to grant a defect petition, which claims that incorrectly assembled the hatchback’s steering linkage.
As of this writing, there is no recall. However, a recall based on the Prius steering shaft would be the third related to steering issues for the model since 2006. Seven years ago, Toyota recalled 170K Prius models for potential cracking of the intermediate shafts, and in November of 2012, the automaker to replace the steering shaft extension assembly.
We’ll be monitoring NHTSA’s signals to see if this investigation turns into a full-fledged recall. For now, stay tuned.
is recalling sixteen models from the 2009 to 2013 model years over a potential issue with passenger seat airbag calibration. In spite of the large number of different Toyotas covered by the recall, just 3,235 units are included. These were vehicles installed with accessories like leather seat covers and headrest DVD systems by Southeast Toyota Distributors, and during the modifications the passenger seat occupant sensor system might not have been calibration tested. If the sensors aren’t set up properly, the passenger airbag might not work as it should.
Affected models include: Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius V, Rav4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra and Venza. for the relevant model years for each.
The indicates that the recall will begin this month. Southeast Toyota will inform owners, at which time they can take their Toyotas to dealers for testing and repair. The complete bulletin from the NHTSA with more information is .
Automotive News reports is recalling a total of 2.77 million vehicles worldwide for faulty water pumps and steering system issues. A total of 670,000 of those are 2004-2009 hybrids sold in the US. Those vehicles are headed back to the dealer, where technicians will inspect the intermediate shaft in the steering column for deformed splines and replace the shaft if necessary. Around 350,000 of those same models will also be inspected for a faulty electric water pump. In some cases, the motor driving the pump could stop, causing the electric motor to overheat and stop functioning while being driven.
Toyota has not received any reports of accidents as a result of either problem, and says the inspections and replacement work should be completed in around one hour.
The recalls also affect 496,000 vehicles in Europe and a further 1.5 million in Japan. All told, the steering shaft recall covers 10 models worldwide, including the and Wish models manufactured in Japan between 2000 and 2009. Five models are affected by the water pump recall, though we’re still waiting for confirmation from Toyota as to which they are. You can read the full Toyota , covering the US-spec Prius issues, for more information.
has announced a voluntary recall of 11,200 models from the 2012 and 2013 model years. According to the manufacturer, the problem with these pint-sized hatchbacks concerns the front passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) weight sensor cables.
The OCS sensors in the front passenger seat control the operation of things like the airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioner. In these affected models, the cables for these sensors located in the seat track can become damaged as the passenger seat slides forward and backward. And if the cables are damaged, the airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioner may not function properly.
No injuries or crashes have been reported in conjunction with this issue.
Toyota says that owners will be notified by mail beginning in early December, at which point the vehicles will be repaired – free of charge – at dealerships. The automaker has also confirmed that this recall only affects vehicles in the United States, and that no other Toyota, or products are involved.
has announced a voluntary recall of 11,200 models from the 2012 and 2013 model years. According to the manufacturer, the problem with these pint-sized hatchbacks concerns the front passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) weight sensor cables.
The OCS sensors in the front passenger seat control the operation of things like the airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioner. In these affected models, the cables for these sensors located in the seat track can become damaged as the passenger seat slides forward and backward. And if the cables are damaged, the airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioner may not function properly.
No injuries or crashes have been reported in conjunction with this issue.
Toyota says that owners will be notified by mail beginning in early December, at which point the vehicles will be repaired – free of charge – at dealerships. The automaker has also confirmed that this recall only affects vehicles in the United States, and that no other Toyota, or products are involved.
has announced a voluntary of around 2.5 million vehicles for faulty window switches. The automaker says the driver’s side power window master switch may develop a sticky or notchy feel during operation, and that if owners or technicians apply commercial lubricant, the switch my smoke or catch fire.
The recall covers certain , , , , , , Highlander Hybrid, , and Matrix models as well as and units. All vehicles fall between the model years 2007 and 2009. Over 200 incidents involving the switches have been reported in the US alone, though the trouble hasn’t caused any accidents or injuries.
Toyota technicians will inspect, disassemble and apply special flourine grease to the switches free of charge. Owners can expect to receive a recall notice starting later this month. The recall only covers US vehicles and does not involve any other Lexus or Scion units. Take a look at the .
A bill approved by both houses of Congress that doubles fines on vehicles not recalled in a timely fashion also weighs-in on several additional safety measures. What was once a $17-million penalty has now jumped to $35 million. In spite of these fines, The Detroit News reports that many new safety requirements were left out of the bill. One of the few requirements to make it through is the mandate for rear seat belt buckle chime systems – much like the alert system that is currently in the front seats of cars.
Following the recall of almost 10 million vehicles, many safety groups advocated for major changes in the legislation of vehicle safety. While the vote makes the penalty for recalls worse, it mostly does away with many safety regulations.
Among those regulations would have been rules regarding vehicle stopping distance, pushbutton start systems, pedal placement, and even mandatory vehicle event data recorder (A.K.A. black box) institution.
But traffic deaths have and public attention has waned since the Toyota recall. Lobbyists have pushed to block new safety proposals in light of the lack of public outcry.
So while many of the proposed safety measures never made it through the vote, it appears the rear seat warning chime, as well as new bus safety regulations, will carry the day.
has announced that it will recall a total of 778,000 units that may have been manufactured with improperly-tightened nuts on the rear suspension. The manufacturer says around 760,000 models and 18,000 units may have fasteners that were not torqued to the correct specification during alignment.
If that’s the case, excess wear could occur and pave the way for rust and separation, which in turn could cause an accident. Toyota says the company is currently working on a solution. Once available, the manufacturer will notify owners and ask them to make an appointment to bring the vehicle by the closest dealer for a free repair.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced earlier this month that it was for this very issue after receiving complaints of tie rod failures due to rust. You can view the from Toyota below.
has announced a voluntary recall of roughly 650 F Sport models over a potential issue with one of the electronic control units.
When the vehicle is parked with the steering wheel turned, the calibration of the ECU for the Variable Gear Ratio Steering can cause the steering wheel to “become off-centered” if the car is immediately restarted.
Lexus will be notifying owners in early June, at which time they can take their cars to the dealer to have the ECU recalibrated free of charge. for the press release.
recalling 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport over faulty ECU
While recalls are , they’re still news. And today’s announcement certainly qualifies for the modifier “big,” with nearly half a million pickups being recalled under one campaign, and 116,000 crossovers and 70,500 Camrys under another.
The 2009 is the only model year covered by the recall, while 2009-2011 Venzas are affected. These vehicles may need a replacement stop lamp switch, which may have been installed incorrectly. Symptoms include warning lamps illuminating, a non-starting condition, and the inability to shift out of Park.
The Tacoma recall covers some 2005-2009 models that may need their steering wheel spiral cable assembly replaced. Symptoms include an air bag warning lamp that does not go off after the vehicle is started, which could result in the driver’s air bag being deactivated.
In both cases, Toyota says it is “obtaining the necessary replacement parts” and owners will be notified by mail. Owners may also visit or call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
launched a total of 13 recall campaigns in 2011 covering over 3.5 million vehicles. Those figures put the Japanese automaker at the top of the most-recalled list for the third year in a row, according to Ward’s Auto. Between 2009 and 2010, Toyota recalled nearly 11.5 million vehicles in North America for a variety of reasons, including troublesome floor mats and sticky accelerators tied to the company’s unintended acceleration woes. The company says that around 85 percent of vehicles involved in the pedal recall have been fixed, with lower volume models continuing to trickle into dealers.
But Toyota wasn’t the only automaker with recall woes in 2011. found itself in second place for the number of vehicles recalled this year with 10 campaigns covering 3.2 million vehicles. For its part, General Motors issued a total of 21 recalls, but the fixes involved far fewer vehicles: 455,901. All told, Ward’s says automakers issued 130 recalls in 2011, down from 136 campaigns in the U.S. last year.
According to a report from Automotive News, is recalling more than 200,000 minivans from the 2011 and 2012 model years. But before you start worrying about reading the words ‘Toyota’ and ‘recall’ in the same sentence, know that this is for a very, very minor issue.
The problem? The tire and load information placard has been misprinted, and can cause a situation where owners over-inflate the tires. Overloaded tires can potentially fail (read: burst), and can result in a crash.
Toyota spokesperson Bryan Lyons told Automotive News that there isn’t a problem with any mechanical part of the Sienna itself, just the sticker. To remedy this situation, the automaker will mail new replacement placards to affected vehicle owners.
has announced that it is recalling more than 420,000 vehicles in the United States for a potentially faulty crank shaft pulley. A total of 283,200 Toyota vehicles as well as 137,000 Lexus vehicles may experience a pulley failure in which the inner and outer rings become misaligned. If that happens, owners may experience noise, vibration and a check engine light. If the problem is left untreated, the power steering belt may slip off of the crank shaft pulley, resulting in more steering effort. Toyota says that this could cause an accident, though no problems have been reported so far.
The recall covers the 2004 Toyota Avalon, 2004 and , , and Solara as well as the 2006 Highlander HV, 2004 and and . The 2006 Lexus RX 400h is also included in the recall, which covers a total of 550,000 vehicles worldwide. Toyota says that the company is currently in the process of acquiring the parts necessary to replace the faulty crank shaft pulley and that the company will inspect and replace the faulty piece free of charge. for the full press release.
’s recent troubles weren’t merely issues for its customers, dealers, lawyers and bottom line – the repercussions also went all the way up through diplomatic channels. A series of cables posted by Wikileaks reveals that then-Transportation Minister Seiji Maehara asked that Toyota’s situation not cause “obstacles to trade.”
The entreaties disallow bilateral trade to be affected by the Toyota recalls, and in the words of a Japanese cable to Washington, “For many GOJ (Government of Japan) bureaucrats and Japanese auto executives, any and all auto issues seem to trigger memories of bilateral trade friction in the 1980s and 90s.” That was when sectors like automobiles, agriculture, steel, textiles and market access were rich sources of friction, retaliation, treaties and new accusations.
The U.S. position – beyond Ray LaHood’s occasional thundering – was also a desire not to return to dark international days as long as everyone realized “It is crucial for Toyota to stay ahead of the issue.”
It already seems as though issues came to a head a lifetime ago, but the courts won’t be ready to hear the first case for a long while. Bloomberg reports that U.S. District Judge James V. Selna in California said on the court’s website that the first case has tentatively been set for the first quarter of 2013.
The first case to come before the court will reportedly be the Van Alfen suit. Paul Van Alfen and a passenger were killed in a November 5, 2010 accident in which his crashed into a wall after reportedly accelerating unexpectedly at an exit ramp in Wendover, Utah. The suit claims that the vehicle failed to stop even after Van Alfen slammed on the brakes. Van Alfen’s wife and son were injured in the accident, and the two are among the family members suing Toyota.
The first case may not be until 2013, but courts will likely be buzzing with activity in the years ahead. Toyota recalled millions of vehicles in the United States for floor mats and sticking accelerator pedals in 2009 and 2010, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records show that could be attributable to the automaker’s unintended acceleration issues. Last month, Judge Selna also ruled that Toyota owners can sue the automaker for economic losses even when no accident results form unintended acceleration, adding “a vehicle with a defect is worth less than one without a defect.”
Mercedes-Benz finally intends for the coupe body to play a much more serious role in its C-Class lineup, despite the next-gen C-Class lurking only a couple of years away.
Subaru is reportedly planning on a longer-than-average lifecycle for the coupe, with multiple packages popping up down the line to keep the car fresh… including an STI model.
Overall, auto sales were down a bit in May, though there certainly were a few bright spots in the industry.
Also of interest:
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is recalling 106,000 models built between 2001 and 2003. A total of 52,000 of those units were sold in the States.
Toyota says that if the steering wheel is strongly turned to the full lock position over and over again, the electric power steering pinion shaft nuts may become loose. Over time, that may result in the driver having to exert more force than typically necessary to turn left.
Owners can expect to be notified of the recall in early July, and the repair (in which dealers will replace the electric power steering pinion shaft nuts with new equipment) is expected to take around four hours.
In addition, the Japanese automaker is recalling a handful of and all-wheel drive models for improperly heat-treated front drive shafts. The recall covers a total of 34 Venza models and 16 Sienna units produced in 2011, and owners can expect to be notified of the problem by June of this year. for the full press blast.
