Toyota Recalls Nearly 170,000 More Vehicles Due to Takata Airbag Issues

Toyota Recalls Nearly 170,000 More Vehicles Due to Takata Airbag Issues

December 31, 2018 Sean Reyes , , ,

Laguna Hills, CA – December 31, 2018 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 169,481 vehicles with faulty Takata airbag inflators that may explode and injure vehicle occupants. The recall includes the following models:

  • 2002-2005 Lexus SC
  • 2002-2005 Toyota Sequoia
  • 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla
  • 2003-2005 Tundra
  • 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe

Recall summary

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, these vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

On December 7, 2018, in consideration of a sufficient supply of final remedy inflators and upon discussion with the Agency, Toyota decided to conduct a campaign to replace the air bag inflator or the air bag assembly on certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Additionally, Toyota is also recalling certain Pontiac Vibe vehicles based on General Motors’ request, and in consideration of a sufficient supply of final remedy inflators by them.

Not all vehicles in the affected range were sold in the U.S. The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger air bag inflators (Takata-designated SPI, PSPI or PSPI-L) which contain a non-desiccated phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant and that were replaced as a “like-for-like” inflator under a prior recall by Takata, although Takata’s official DIRs that affect the subject vehicles will not occur until late 2019. Toyota is accelerating the launch of the remedy for these vehicles in advance of the Takata decisions.

The repair

Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 14, 2019.

This recall includes vehicles that have had their air bag previously replaced under an earlier air bag campaign. General Motors will notify NHTSA separately of its repair and notification schedule and its campaign number concerning the Pontiac Vibe, and will provide reimbursement to owners for repairs according to the plan submitted by GM on May 19, 2017.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 160,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 104,197 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesToyota Recalls Nearly 170,000 More Vehicles Due to Takata Airbag Issues
Toyota recalls vehicles with defective engine components

Toyota recalls vehicles with defective engine components

July 25, 2018 Sean Reyes

Plano, Texas – July 25, 2018 – Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing has recalled more than 114,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective engine components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple models across the Lexus brand, including:

  • 2007-2011 Lexus GS 350 sedans produced between June 19, 2006, and Aug. 28, 2011.
  • 2007-2011 Lexus GS 450h sedans produced between Sept. 26, 2005, and Aug. 23, 2011.
  • 2006-2013 Lexus IS 350 sedans produced between May 27, 2005, and March 19, 2013.
  • 2010-2014 Lexus IS 350c sedans produced between Nov. 25, 2008, and Aug. 5, 2014.

The Japanese automaker is unsure how many of the recalled models actually contain defective parts.

The Defect

Affected vehicles contain 3.5-liter engines with intake port fuel injection systems featuring gasoline delivery pipes and pulsation dampers. The material used for the diaphragms in the pulsation dampers can thicken after coming into contact with fuel containing high concentrations of ethanol. Over time, hardening may give way to cracking, which, in turn, could lead to fuel leakage and engine fire. The defect therefore poses a serious hazard to occupants. However, Toyota has yet to receive field reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

The car manufacturer has yet to release details into the investigation that uncovered the defect. That said, the company has confirmed that it notified dealers of the impending recall campaign June 26, 2018.

The Solution

Toyota has directed dealers to replace the fuel delivery pipes and pulsation dampers in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The automaker intends to reach out to owners via first-class mail on or around Aug. 9, 2018. Owners in need of assistance prior to the start of the recall can speak with Toyota customer service personnel by calling (800) 255-3987. Callers should use the internal recall identification code JLF. Of course, owners can also contact the NHTSA directly by using the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Sean ReyesToyota recalls vehicles with defective engine components
Toyota recalls vehicles with defective brake components

Toyota recalls vehicles with defective brake components

April 19, 2018 Sean Reyes ,

Plano, Texas – July 20, 2022 – Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing has remedied issues with 5,350 vehicles including the 2018 Toyota Camry, the 2018 Toyota Highlander, and others in which the brake assist vacuum pump may fail. Additionally, 461 of these Toyota models have been categorized as unreachable and 17 have been removed from the recall. Three groups of these 2018 Toyota Camry and 2018 Toyota Highlander with a defective brakes vacuum pump were remedied in 2018 and three other groups were remedied during 2019.

Plano, Texas – April 19, 2018 – Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing has recalled more than 6,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective brake components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects models across multiple brands, including:

  • 2017 Lexus RX350 sport utility vehicles produced between Oct. 2, 2017, and Oct. 18, 2017.
  • 2018 Toyota Camry sedans produced between Oct. 5, 2017, and Nov. 3, 2017.
  • 2018 Toyota Highlander sport utility vehicles produced between Oct. 4, 2017, and Nov. 3, 2017.
  • 2018 Toyota Sienna minivans produced between Oct. 6, 2017, and Oct. 23, 2017.
  • 2017 Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks produced between Oct. 5, 2017, and Nov. 3, 2017.
The Japanese automaker is unsure how many of the recalled vehicles actually contain the defective components.

The Defect

Affected vehicles could come with problematic vacuum pump assemblies. These fixtures are designed to siphon oil from the engine to power brake boosters which, in turn, support optimal braking assist functionality. However, the pumps installed in the recalled models contain improperly machined rotor oil galleys, impairing their ability to extract oil from the engine and power brake boosters.
In some instances, the rotor galleys may cause other internal parts within the vacuum pumps to break, resulting in the failure of the entire rotor, the brake booster and the brake assist system. Such an event would increase the likelihood of an accident. However, Toyota has yet to receive field reports connecting the defective vacuum pump assemblies to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

On Oct. 11, 2017, an engineer conducting a post-production test drive at the Toyota manufacturing plant in San Antonio, Texas encountered a vehicle with an overly firm brake pedal, according to an internal document submitted to the NHTSA. Toyota inspected the vehicle and found that the vacuum pump was not effectively powering the brake booster, resulting in pedal resistance.
Additional analysis revealed that the rotor oil galley within the pump did not contain properly drilled holes, prompting the automaker to contact Magna Powertrain of Mexico, the vendor that provided the vacuum pump assembly, and initiate a joint investigation.
As this inquiry moved forward, engineers at another Toyota assembly site pinpointed other vehicles with the same braking problem, which engineering teams quickly attributed to defective vacuum pumps. Soon after these additional defective vehicles were identified, the car manufacturer discovered that the Magna production facility on Aug. 7, 2017, had suffered an unexpected power surge, resulting in significant downtime. During a shop floor reset, maintenance teams failed to properly recalibrate the drilling machine.
Consequently, Magna produced a large number of vacuum pump assemblies with improperly drilled rotor oil galley holes. Over the course of its investigation, Toyota also found that Magna’s documented maintenance policies did not direct teams to perform recalibrations following shutdowns, meaning operations most likely resumed without further process analysis. Magna ultimately made the proper calibrations during Aug. 9, 2017, but by that point, a significant number of pieces had come off the line and been shipped to customers. The company amended its maintenance procedures to address this error.
In January 2018, Toyota began testing the defective vacuum pumps in-house to determine their impact on vehicle drivability. Within a month, engineers had determined that the components could not effectively extract oil from the engine via the improperly drilled rotor oil galley holes. They also found that this, in turn, may damage the vacuum pump assembly and eventually result in the complete loss of the braking assist feature.
On March 28, 2018, Toyota safety and quality assurance officials reviewed the results of the investigation and determined that a voluntary safety recall was necessary. The automaker notified dealers April 3, 2018.

The Solution

Toyota has directed dealers to replace the vacuum pump assemblies in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The company intends to notify owners via first-class mail between May 31, 2018, and June 2, 2018. However, owners in need of assistance prior to the start of the recall can reach out to Toyota customer service at (800) 255-3987. Callers should use the internal campaign reference code J0K/JLD. Owners can also contact the NHTSA directly using the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Sean ReyesToyota recalls vehicles with defective brake components
Toyota recalls models with faulty tie rod assemblies

Toyota recalls models with faulty tie rod assemblies

June 29, 2017 admin

Plano, Texas – June 29, 2017 – Toyota Motor North America has recalled more than 1,700 vehicles with defective tie rod assemblies, according to a company news release. The campaign affects 2017 Lexus ES 350 sedans.

The Defect

The vehicles named in the recall could contain improperly installed right-hand tie rod assemblies, according to Toyota. This defect, which often creates noise, can cause the vehicles to drift left or right while operating.

Additionally, in severe cases, drivers may experience loss of steering control. Both events can increase the likelihood of an accident. However, Toyota has not received reports of any injuries or wrecks related to the defective tie rod assemblies.

Timeline of Events

Toyota has not released details into the events or internal inquiry that led to the recall campaign.

The Solution

The car company has ordered dealers to inspect the tie rod assemblies on affected vehicles, specifically the right-hand-side lock nut. If this fixture is lose, dealers are to replace it, along with the steering gear and tie rod assemblies, at no cost to owners.

Toyota is expected to send out owner notifications via first-class mail later this month. However, the organization encourages owners who suspect they might have vehicles involved in the recall to check by entering their vehicle identification numbers at the Toyota recall portal or the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s site, Safercar.gov.

Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Toyota customer service at (800) 331-4331 or call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

adminToyota recalls models with faulty tie rod assemblies
Airbag Module Concerns Lead to Lexus Recall

Airbag Module Concerns Lead to Lexus Recall

February 8, 2016 MotorSafety.org

Washington, D.C. — February 08, 2016 — Thousands of vehicles are part of a new recall effort in response to airbag concerns in certain Lexus vehicles. Though owners won’t be notified until March, Toyota recently announced the recall effort in a January 27 press release in its official online newsroom.

“This recall specifically affects RX 350 and RX 450h models.”

According to this statement, the manufacturer is recalling “approximately 5,000” 2016 Lexus vehicles that could contain badly-manufactured airbag modules. The company has called for dealers to inspect these faulty assemblies and replace them as necessary to avoid putting operators at risk.

This recall specifically affects RX 350 and RX 450h models, and comes in the same month that Lexus announced the LC 500 luxury coupe. So far, no injuries have been traced to the RX Lexus recalls, and it does not appear to be related to other similar issues like the Takata airbag recalls.

“The involved vehicles are equipped with a driver’s knee airbag module that may not have been properly manufactured,” the most recent statement says. “This could affect the performance of the airbag and increase the risk of injury in a crash.”

With a new death linked to the Takata airbag inflators, Toyota is still involved with the ongoing recall effort, one that has expanded to include millions of cars.

Earlier this month, the New York Times reported that this auto manufacturer had worked with Takata to test some of the recalled vehicles for ruptures. Results revealed three RAV-4 airbag inflators ruptured during the test, triggering a recall for those that use these and similar systems. Ford also tested 1,900 inflators for defects and found none.

MotorSafety.orgAirbag Module Concerns Lead to Lexus Recall
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