Category Archives: Toyota

News about Toyota automobile manufacturer. News about Toyota recalls, technical service bulletins (TSB), and problems regarding Toyota vehicles.

Toyota Recall For Brakes In 2011 Sienna

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Toyota has announced a recall for almost 95,000 2011 Sienna minivans to replace the brake light switch bracket. Toyota informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that Sienna vehicles built between December 2009 and November 2010 could experience a deformed brake light switch bracket due to the close proximity of the parking brake to the bracket. When the parking brake is engaged, the driver’s foot may come in contact and deform the stop lamp switch bracket. The deformation could result in brake drag and reduced braking. Depending on the amount of stop lamp switch bracket deformation, drivers may notice the rear brake lights remaining “ON” and/or the brakes remaining slightly applied, resulting in brake drag with associated brake noise, brake vibration, and/or illumination of the brake warning light.

Owners will be notified of the problem by mail starting mid January. This notification will instruct owners on what to do if they experience the problem and how to minimize it. A secondary recall notice will be issued in February once replacement parts become available. For more information customers can go to www.toyota.com/recall or call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Toyota To Fix Coolant Pumps In Prius

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Toyota has announced that it will repair almost 380,000 2004-2007 Prius models in the United States for coolant pump problems. There have been no reports of injuries or accidents related to the problem, but complaints of power loss has lead the company to fix the minor repair without issuing a recall. A Toyota spokesperson explained that air bubbles entering the system through the pump reduces the efficiency of the cooling system. When the pump malfunctions, the car’s hybrid system switches off to prevent overheating and the vehicle’s regular gasoline engine takes over. Overheating of the vehicle could activate a warning light on the dashboard, and a significant loss of power will be noticed. Toyota said it would begin notifying owners of the Prius repair campaign in the United States in early December.

Camry Accident In Utah Questions Toyota Recall Fix

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A recent car accident in western Utah is making government official and safety advocate groups question the repairs done to Toyota vehicles recalled because of unintended acceleration. Two people were killed and two injured when a 2008 Toyota Camry sped out of control and crashed into a rock wall. The vehicle was believed to have experienced unintended acceleration even though the owner of the Camry was said to have had the vehicle repaired by Toyota for unintended acceleration.

Based on statements from witnesses and those that survived the crash inside the car, investigators are led to believe that the pedal was stuck, according to Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Todd Johnson. Tire skid marks showed that the Camry’s driver tried to stop the vehicle as it exited Interstate 80. The car ended up going through a stop sign at the bottom of the ramp and through an intersection before hitting the wall.

LA Auto Show Speeds Into The Electric Car Era

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The sales of electric cars may not be doing as well as first hoped, but the displays at this years Los Angeles Auto Show hopes to change that. GM’s Chevrolet Volt, the 2011 Green Car of the Year, is one of several displays that hope to spark interest in the sales of green cars. The Volts rival, the Nissan leaf, along with Tesla’s Toyota RAV4 EV, the Fisker Karma, the Mitsubishi I-MiEV, and every other car maker’s electric or hybrid car will be there vying for the green consumers interest.

This year’s show will feature a record of debuts with fifty new vehicles unveiled on press day. This year’s show features more elaborate and interactive exhibits and more manufacturers, making it one of the most dynamic LA Auto Shows in years. The annual event, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center and will be open to the public November 19-28.

Dealing With Death Wobble

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“Death Wobble” is a situation where the front axle of a vehicle oscillates out of control making the vehicle difficult to handle. The above video shows just how scary and potentially deadly the situation can be. While the majority of complaints of death wobble come from Jeep owners, the problem has also been reported in Toyota, Ford, and Dodge vehicles as well.

Death Wobble is extremely difficult to diagnose and fix, because it could be caused by a combination of parts in the steering and suspension systems and may not be the same for every vehicle. Every time you experience a death wobble episode, more parts may be damaged. Fixing the problem can become very expensive and if it is not fixed right away, can be dangerous.

If you have experienced death wobble in your Jeep, Toyota, Ford or Dodge vehicle and your mechanic or dealership is unable to fix the problem, you may be entitled to your money back or a new vehicle under California’s Lemon Laws.

The California Lemon Law Offices of Delsack & Associates is recognized as one of California’s best and oldest lemon law firms. We have a nearly 100% success rate of the California Lemon Law cases we accept, and offer statewide services so that wherever you live in California you can put our 22 years of experience to work for you.

If you are in California call our Lemon Law Offices:

Anywhere in California (free call): 1.888.ExLemon (395.3666)

  • California Lemon Law in Los Angeles: 310-475-1700
  • California Lemon Law in San Francisco: 415-285-5366
  • California Lemon Law in San Diego: 619-229-6900
  • California Lemon Law in Orange County: 949-856-4333
  • California Lemon Law in Palm Springs: 760-395-1000
  • California Lemon Law in San Fernando Valley: 818-837-0500

Toyota And Lexus Recall For Brakes

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Toyota has announced it will be recalling almost 750,000 vehicles in the United States because of leaky brake fluid lines that could lead to loss of stopping power. Toyota suspects that the brake fluid used during maintenance may have not had enough polymers as “Toyota genuine brake fluid”, which may have lead to the seals drying out. That leakage will cause the brake warning light to illuminate.

The models affected by this recall are:

  • 2005–6 Avalon
  • 2004–6 Highlander (non hybrid)
  • Lexus RX 330
  • 2006 Lexus GS 300
  • IS 250
  • IS 350

Toyota will begin sending out letters to owners urging them to schedule an appointment with a local dealer who will replace the seal at no charge to the owner. Owners wanting more information can call Toyota at (800-331-4331) or Lexus at (800-255-3987).

Toyota Expanding Their Hybrid Empire

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Toyota has set itself up as one of the top hybrid makers in the world with the development of one of the first hybrid vehicles, the Prius. They share their technology with companies like Nissan, Mazda and Ford, which allows them to produce hybrids in larger numbers while keeping the cost down. Recently, Toyota has partnered with Tesla Motors to develop and electric version of Toyota’s RAV4 crossover. The RAV4 EV will be making its debut at this years LA Auto show, and will begin selling the model to the public in 2012.

Japanese media reported this Friday that Toyota may be expanding it’s hybrid empire. Dailmler is working on its own hybrid technology and has approached Toyota about sharing its gas electric hybrid technology with them. The two companies have been in negotiations for over a year now, so an official announcement is expected soon. If the deal should go through we could see Toyota technology showing up in Mercedes-Benz vehicles as early as 2012.

Toyota Rav4 EV Debuts At The LA Auto Show

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It is no secret that Toyota and Tesla have joined forces to develop an all electric Rav4 that they hope will shake up the electric vehicle market. Tesla has already delivered a working RAV4 EV to Toyota earlier this summer and will debut it to the public at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The vehicle is likely to be one of the stars of the Auto Show, which traditionally hosts “green” vehicle debuts. GM’s Chevy Volt and Nissans Leaf will also be there, but Toyota’s Rav4 hopes to attract the consumer who wants an electric vehicle, but wants something bigger than a compact car.