The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into possible fire hazards in some 2007 Camry, Camry Solara and Rav4 vehicles. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, owners experienced a burning odor, and eventually flames coming from inside the doors. The problem is suspected to be caused by a malfunctioning power window master switch control. If the investigation leads to a recall, almost 830,000 vehicles could be affected.
Category Archives: Toyota
Toyota RAV4 Airbags May Not Deploy
Toyota is recalling certain 2011 RAV4 vehicles for airbags that may not deploy properly during an accident. According to the recall filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), propellant with the incorrect specification may have been used in the initiator inflator, causing one or both curtain shield airbags to not deploy. Toyota will be notifying customers and will inspect and replace the curtain shield assemblies as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the recall can contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. The recall is expected to begin in early March 2012.
Toyota and BMW Share Technology
An agreement between BMW and Toyota, will have the two automobile makers collaborating on environmentally sustainable technology in the auto industry. BMW will supply Toyota with 1.6 and 2.0 liter engines for their struggling European line, and both companies will work together to develop car battery technology for electric and hybrid vehicles. The alliance will increase efficiency, reduce costs, and allow vehicles to be brought to market more quickly. Because BMW and Toyota operate in different segments of the market, it is unlikely they will encountering competitive conflicts.
Toyota To Replace Crankshaft Pulley
Toyota will be recalling over 400,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles with V6 engines, to replace the crankshaft pulley. In a report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Toyota said that there is a possibility that the outer ring of the crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring. If the problem is not fixed, the power steering pump may become detached making it difficult for the driver to steer. Notifications will be sent out starting in January, but if drivers start hearing abnormal noises from the engine compartment or experience illumination of the discharge warning light, they should immediately have their vehicle inspected by a Toyota or Lexus dealer. The vehicles involved in this recall include:
- 2004 Toyota Avalon
- 2004-2005 Toyota Camry
- 2004-2005 Toyota Highlander
- 2004-2005 Toyota Sienna
- 2004-2005 Toyota Solara
- 2004-2005 Lexus ES330
- 2004-2005 Lexus RX330
- 2006 Toyota Highlander HV
- 2006 Lexus RX400H
For more information on the recall, Toyota owners can go to www.toyota.com/recall or call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. Lexus owners can go to www.lexus.com/recall or call the Lexus Customer Satisfaction Center at 1 800-255-3987.
Toyota Recalls 2011 Lexus RX350 Vehicles
Toyota is recalling certain 2011 Lexus RX350 vehicles equipped with vehicle dynamics integrated management (VDIM) systems. The hydraulic control valves in this system may have been incorrectly calibrated which could lead to the right front wheel not being controlled properly when the anti-lock brake system (ABS) or the vehicle stability control system (VSC) is activated. This could lead to an increased stopping distance and/or a failure to adequately correct a vehicle slide. Owners wanting more information on this recall can contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota And Lexus Hybrids Recalled For Stalling
Toyota has announced a recall that will affect about 82,000 Toyota and Lexus hybrid sport utility vehicles (SUV’s). The recall involves about 45,000 2006-2007 Toyota Highlander and 36,000 2006-2007 Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV models from the 2006-2007 model years. The recall is the result of an investigation that began in February after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received complaints of the vehicles stalling for no reason. Toyota has reported that the problem is with the transistors inside the system’s inverter which can overheat and fail. Drivers will be alerted of the problem by warning lamps illuminating on the dashboard, and in most cases the vehicle can be driven a short distance due to a fail safe driving mode. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Toyota at 800-331-4331 or go to www.toyota.com/recall or Lexus at 800-255-3987 or go to www.lexus.com/recall.
Toyota To Offer Family Sized Prius
According to Ed LaRocque, Toyota’s U.S. marketing manager for advanced technology vehicles, Toyota’s new family sized Prius will be hitting the U.S. market this fall after delays due to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The Prius V is being targeted to young families offering versatility and more interior room than most small sport utility vehicles on the market. The company sees the Prius V competing against vehicles such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and the Volkswagen Jetta wagon. Toyota will also be offering a plug in version of the current Prius model early next year followed by a smaller version, known as the Prius C. Toyota has dominated the gasoline electric hybrid market since the Prius went on sale in the U.S. in 2000. The company hopes that Prius sales will eventually rival the sales of Toyota’s popular models like the Camry and Corolla sedans.
Toyota Sienna And Venza Vehicles Recalled
Toyota has announced that they will be recalling certain 2011 Venza crossover and 2011 Sienna minivans manufactured between March 07, 2011 to March 10, 2011. These vehicles may have been installed with a front right drive shaft that was not properly heat treated. The improperly manufactured shaft could break while driving leaving the driver stranded and increasing the chance of an accident. Toyota will begin notifying affected customers starting mid June. For more information contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. The recall is expected to have effected only about 38 vehicles sold in the United States and Canada.
