A small number of 2014 FJ Cruiser owners will be notified by Toyota to return to their dealership for a problem affecting the steering system. According to reports, a joint in the intermediate shaft may have received an inadequate weld due to improperly maintained welding equipment at the supplier. If the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, the weld could separate, resulting in complete loss of steering control and an increased risk of an accident. Continue reading
Category Archives: Toyota
2011-2012 Toyota Avalon Electrical Defect
Toyota will be asking the owners of certain 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon‘s to return their cars to a dealership for repairs. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the wires going to the sub woofer located in the trunk may move out of postion creating a short against the metal frame. An integrated circuit (IC) within the amplifier could overheat, potentially creating a fire. Continue reading
2014 Toyota Avalon & Camry Suspension Defect
A defect affecting the suspension in certain 2014 Avalon and 2014 Camry will have approximately 5,650 vehicle owners returning to their dealership for repairs. According to the defect report, an incorrect left side front suspension lower arm may have been installed during manufacturing. The wrong part could result in insufficient clamping surface for one of the bolts that secures the lower arm to the lower ball joint. Impact to the lower ball joint during normal driving conditions could result in separation of the lower arm form the ball joint and loss of steering control. Continue reading
2008 Toyota Sienna On The Safety Watch List
Using publicly available data from the NHTSA, manufacturer early warning reports, and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), The Safety Institute release a list of vehicles which they feel show early signs of potential problems. According to The Safety Institute’s most recent quarterly vehicle safety watch list, released in October 2014, the Toyota Sienna shows repeated problems affecting the power train and suspension. Continue reading
Lexus Fuel Leak Safety Problem
Toyota will be contacting the owners of approximately 422,000 Lexus GS, IS, and LS vehicles to return to their dealerships for a problem with the fuel delivery system.
According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the affected vehicles were manufactured with a plating on the fuel delivery lines to protect against corrosion. This plating could result in the sealing property of the gasket seated between the pressure sensor and the pipe to become degraded. Fuel could leak past the gasket and in the presence of an ignition source, may result in fire. The vehicles affected by this recall includes: Continue reading
Toyota And Lexus Fuel Smell After Engine Shutoff
In August 2014, Toyota received customer complaints of fuel odor after turning off the engine on certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles. An inspection of the fuel system found fuel dripping from the end cap of the delivery pipe on the engine due to insufficient welding of the cap. An on site investigation of the supplier found that the cooling air hose for the manufacturing jig used during the welding process was disconnected because of routine maintenance, resulting in an insufficient weld. In this condition, fuel could leak from the fuel delivery pipe and in the presence of an ignition source could increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Continue reading
Takata Airbag Defect Affects Many Manufacturers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging owners of certain BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota vehicles to take immediate action and replace defective Takata airbags. Vehicle owners receiving regional recalls are especially urged to get the problem taken care of, as consistent hot and humid conditions are suspect to intensify the problem. These areas include: Florida, Puerto Rico, areas in Texas near the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Guam, as well as Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Virgin Islands and Hawaii. Continue reading
2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser Difficult Steering
After completing an investigation into difficult steering in certain 2014 FJ Cruiser‘s, Toyota has found a problem that will have owners returning their vehicles to a manufacturer approved repair facility for repairs.
According to reports filed with the NHTSA, these vehicles are equipped with an optional “Trail Teams Ultimate Edition” package in which the front shock absorbers and springs are replaced with more robust off road suspension parts. In some of these vehicles, the two bolts which secure the front lower ball joint to the steering knuckle might have been tightened with insufficient torque . The bolts could loosen and fall out, resulting in the front lower ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle. Drivers could experience complete loss of steering control and an increased chance of an accident. Continue reading
