Toyota recalls Yaris cars for risk of stalling

Toyota recalls Yaris cars for risk of stalling

September 18, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Plano, TX – September 18, 2021 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 31,307 cars with defective fuel pumps built by Denso (OTCMKTS:DNZOY), which is partially owned by Toyota. This issue may cause cars to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. The faulty pumps have been subject to ongoing recalls that has affected millions of cars. The latest installment includes:

  • 2019 Toyota Yaris
  • 2020 Toyota Yaris

Recall summary  

The recall centers around the car’s fuel pump, which moves gas from the tank to the engine, as reported. The defective Denso fuel pumps use a plastic disk called an impeller to move gas to the pump from the tank. These impellers can weaken and deform as they soak in fuel, which may cause the pump to fail.

Risks

Vehicles with broken fuel pumps are starved of gasoline and will stall. Stalling while driving may result in the car getting hit from behind, injuring the drivers and the passengers of both vehicles.  

Warning signs

Drivers should keep an eye on the check engine light, and know that “rough running” or failure to start are signs that something may be wrong with the fuel pump.

Safety tips

If your car stalls out on the road:

  • Turn on your hazard lights.
  • Shift into neutral and steer your car to the shoulder. 
  • Call for help.
  • Stay in the car. The shoulder can be dangerous for pedestrians.

Other Toyota recalls

​​The 2020 Toyota Yaris has not been subject to any other recalls, while the 2019 model-year was recalled for incorrect and faulty labels in May and June 2019, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records. 

This is at least a third recall for Toyota caused by the faulty Denso pumps. Close to five million Toyota vehicles have been affected so far. Subaru and Honda have also been forced to recall cars made with these pumps, as reported.

The repair

Toyota dealers will replace the defective fuel pump with a new one. Owners who repaired their fuel pumps before receiving the recall notification may be eligible for reimbursement.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 31,000 cars are part of this Denso fuel pump Toyota recall. Check for Toyota recalls with MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandToyota recalls Yaris cars for risk of stalling
BMW recalls vehicles over risk of seat belt failure

BMW recalls vehicles over risk of seat belt failure

September 6, 2021 Bojan Popic , ,

Westwood, NJ – September 6, 2021  – BMW (OTCMKTS:BMWYY), which also owns Mini and Rolls-Royce brands, has recalled 21,537 vehicles with faulty child restraint systems that increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash.

This recall affects some 2021 Toyota Supras made with BMW engines, as well as a wide range of BMW models, including: 

  • 2021 BMW 4 Series, including the 2021 430I
  • 2021 BMW 2 Series, including the 2021 228I
  • 2021 BMW 5 Series, including the 2021 540I
  • 2021 Mini Cooper
  • 2021 Rolls-Royce Phantom
  • 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost

For a complete list of models and model years included, please refer to this page.

The affected component in this BMW recall is a seat belt retractor, which is what is used to hold the seat belt in place.

Recall summary  

This recall is part of an ongoing series of recalls – that already includes Ford and Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz – caused by faulty seat belts provided by Swedish-American supplier Autoliv.  

These seat belts come equipped with two types of retractors – one that immobilizes the seat belt in the event of a crash and one that prevents the seat belt from moving right after it is buckled. The latter is referred to as the automatic locking retractor, or ALR, and is activated by pulling the seat belt “all the way out,” weaving it through the child seat and buckling it in.

But, because of “out of tolerance” parts provided by the supplier, the ALR may deactivate early, “before the webbing fully retracts.” 

Risks

Faulty ALR will not hold the child seat firmly in its place. Although the seat belt would still lock up during a crash, there is an increased  risk of injury during sudden stops. The risk is lower when parents use the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system in place of the seat belts, as reported.

Warning signs 

Drivers may notice that the torso section of the seat belt is not locked firmly while securing the child seat.

Other BMW recalls

Earlier this month, the 2021 Toyota Supra, as well as some of the X and 5 series cars, were recalled because of a brake assist problem. Some of the older X series were recalled in August out of concern that they may stall while in motion due to a faulty fuel pump.

Other Mini Cooper and Rolls-Royce recalls

In April, BMW recalled close to 50,000 Rolls-Royce, Mini Cooper and BMW models due to a defective water pump, as reported.  In November of last year, there was a BMW and a Mini Cooper recall due to hybrid batteries that may catch fire.  

The repair

Dealers will replace affected passenger seat belts free of charge during an inspection. It is not yet  known when the owners will receive additional information about this recall.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This recall includes more than 20,000 vehicles and covers several brands and models. To check for this and other recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicBMW recalls vehicles over risk of seat belt failure
BMW recalls Toyota Supra and 27,000 BMW cars for brake assist problem

BMW recalls Toyota Supra and 27,000 BMW cars for brake assist problem

September 4, 2021 Rebecca Rand ,

Westwood, NJ – September 4, 2021 – BMW (OTCMKTS:BMWYY) has recalled 50,024 vehicles that may lose the brake assist function due to a software issue. The recall includes 2020 – 2021 Toyota Supra sports cars made with BMW engines and the following BMW models:

  • 2020 BMW 540i sedans
  • 2020 BMW M340i sports sedans
  • 2020 BMW X3 crossovers
  • 2020 – 2021 BMW X4 crossovers
  • 2019 – 2021 BMW Z4 roadsters
  • 2020 – 2021 BMW 745Le sedans

The faulty component is the Engine Management software.

Recall summary  

The recall addresses problems with the cars’ brake assist function, which helps stop the car faster in an emergency. The brake assist uses the force of a vacuum to boost the brakes’ power, giving them more stopping force when a driver slams on the brakes in an emergency. Normally, the car uses the tandem oil/vacuum pump to suck all the air out of the brake assist’s booster, creating a vacuum. 

However, if the driver presses the start button twice in rapid succession or only lightly presses the brake pedal when starting the car, the software may cause the pump to become damaged, causing the booster to lose its power.

Risks

With the loss of brake assist, the car will have “mechanical braking” but will have a longer stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash. You can read more about the signs and dangers of brake assist failure in this article about a similar General Motors recall.

Safety tips

According to recall documents, drivers can avoid damaging the tandem oil/vacuum pump by:

  • Firmly pressing and holding the brake pedal when starting the engine.
  • Pressing the “start” button only once. (Don’t quickly turn the car on and off). 

The repair

Dealers will update recalled vehicles’ engine management software for free. Owner notification letters with more information about when and how to get this repair will be sent out by October 1, though BMW has said the remedy is already available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 50,000 vehicles are included in this BMW recall. To do a BMW recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandBMW recalls Toyota Supra and 27,000 BMW cars for brake assist problem
Subaru recalls vehicles due to risk of engine stall

Subaru recalls vehicles due to risk of engine stall

August 28, 2021 Bojan Popic ,

Camden, NJ – August 28, 2021  – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling 165,026 vehicles in which the engine may stall while driving, which increases the risk of a crash. This recall includes the following models, some of which were developed in partnership with Toyota, which owns a minority stake in the company:

  • 2018 – 2020 Subaru Outback
  • 2018 – 2019 Subaru BRZ
  • 2018 – 2020 Subaru Impreza 
  • 2018 – 2020 Subaru Legacy
  • 2018 – 2019 Subaru WRX
  • 2019 – 2020 Subaru Ascent
  • 2018 – 2019 Toyota 86 2-Door
  • 2018 Subaru Forester

The affected component is the fuel pump, with different part numbers, including 42022CA000 and 42022FL02A.

Recall summary  

These cars are equipped with an impeller, which is a rotating plastic disk that draws fuel from the tank and directs it to the fuel pump. Due to what appears to be a supplier error, the impeller does not have enough density,  which makes it prone to cracking or becoming deformed. This may cause the fuel pump to stop working and result in the engine stalling, which may cause a crash.

Warning signs 

The ‘check engine’ or malfunction indicator light (MIL) may appear on the dashboard and the engine may run rough. Other potential symptoms include various engine running issues, ranging from sluggish performance to hesitation during accelerations.  To learn more, please refer to this article about a recent Nissan recall for the same issue.

Risks

A vehicle that stalls while driving may lead to situations that are potentially dangerous to both its occupants and other motorists. This is especially true if it happens in high-speed or dense traffic conditions.

Other Subaru recalls

A year ago, there was a similar Subaru Impreza recall caused by the same fuel pump issue. The recall also included Ascent, Legacy and Outback vehicles. The last 2020 Subaru Outback recall occurred in December 2020, also due to glitchy rear view cameras, as reported.

The last 2018 Subaru BRZ recall occurred in late 2018 when these cars were among roughly 70,000 units that had to be repaired due to faulty rear view cameras. The 2019 Subaru BRZ has not been subject to any additional recalls.

The repair

To solve the problem, Subaru authorized dealers will replace the fuel pump inside the tank that includes an impeller with a higher density at no charge. Owners will be notified beginning September 13, 2021. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Subaru fuel pump recall includes more than 160,000 vehicles. To check for this and other Subaru recalls, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicSubaru recalls vehicles due to risk of engine stall
Toyota recalls Venzas for driver-side airbag malfunction

Toyota recalls Venzas for driver-side airbag malfunction

April 21, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Plano, TX – February 18, 2022 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) has remedied issues on 16,996 2009-2015 Toyota Venza models with side curtain airbags issues that may not display properly during a crash. Additionally, 2,992 of these Toyota Venza models have been categorized as unreachable and 33,535 have been removed from the recall. All these 2009-2015 Toyota Venza vehicles with side curtain airbag problems were remedied during the last quarter of 2021.

Plano, TX – April 21, 2021 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) has recalled 279,040 mid-size crossover SUVs whose driver-side side and curtain airbags may fail to deploy in a crash.  The recall includes these models:

  • 2009 Toyota Venza 
  • 2010 Toyota  Venza 
  • 2011 Toyota Venza 
  • 2012 Toyota Venza 
  • 2013 Toyota Venza 
  • 2014 Toyota Venza 
  • 2015 Toyota Venza 

The component in question is the “wire harness for [the] front driver door,” with multiple part numbers, including 82152-0T100 and 82152-0T140.

Recall summary  

The recall stems from a wiring issue inside the Venza’s driver-side door. The wires connecting an airbag sensor in the door to the supplemental restraint system (SRS) – which is a computer that controls these airbags – may rub against a metal ring holding them together. 

This could eventually cause the wires to fracture, disabling the driver’s side and curtain airbags. In a crash, these airbags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury to people in the vehicle. For additional details on this, please read the NHTSA Safety Recall Report. 

Warning signs

Venza drivers may notice that their SRS warning light turns on, indicating that airbags have been deactivated.

Risks

Like many other vehicles, 2009-2015 Toyota Venzas use side and curtain airbags to protect the driver’s head and torso, particularly in side-impact crashes. 

Side and curtain airbags reduce side-impact crash fatalities by an estimated 31.3%, but this protection is stripped away if these airbags deactivate and fail to deploy. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect the wiring inside the driver-side door and, if necessary, replace the wiring system with a new one for free. Owners who already paid for repairs related to this problem may be eligible for reimbursement. Instructions on when and how to seek repairs or reimbursement will be sent to owners by June 12.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 279,000 Venzas are included in this Toyota airbag recall. To do a Toyota recall check,  use MotorSafety’s free recall lookup tool or visit Toyota’s Lookup Safety Recalls and Service feature. 

Rebecca RandToyota recalls Venzas for driver-side airbag malfunction
Toyota to recall cars with Denso fuel pumps

Toyota to recall cars with Denso fuel pumps

December 11, 2020 Rebecca Rand

December 16, 2021 Update – Japanese manufacturer Toyota (NYSE:TM) has remedied issues on 101,964 Denso fuel pumps that cause car stalls while driving. In addition to this, 22,555 of these Toyota parts have been categorized as unreachable and 26,994 have been removed from the recall. All of these issues that cause the pump to stop working were remedied between the first and third quarters of 2021.

Southfield, MI – December 11, 2020 – Japanese manufacturer Toyota (NYSE:TM) is set to recall 1,517,721 cars with faulty fuel pumps manufactured by Denso (OTCMKTS:DNZOY), an auto parts maker that forms part of the Toyota Group. This is the latest installment of recalls conducted by various car manufacturers due to an issue with the pumps that may cause cars to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Toyota has yet to announce the details of this recall. The following numbered Toyota parts are affected:

  • 195140201
  • 195140222
  • 195140249
  • 291100043
  • 291200100
  • 291200200
  • 291200202

Recall summary  

The recall concerns the fuel pump, which is responsible for moving gas from a car’s tank to its engine. The fuel pumps in question have a small plastic turbine called an impeller that sucks gas through the pump. These impellers may have been manufactured in a way that causes them to weaken and deform as they soak in fuel. This may cause the whole pump to stop working. 

Series of Denso recalls

This recall is the latest in a series issued by automakers who installed Denso pumps in their vehicles. In the United States, Subaru, Toyota and Honda have issued recalls. According to documents Denso submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford, Mazda and Mitsubishi also purchased faulty fuel pumps. 

Toyota issued their first Denso fuel pump recall in January for nearly 700,000 vehicles. Less than a month later, a class action lawsuit was proposed in the Eastern District of New York which complained that the initial Toyota recall was too small, and left out cars that were built with the same defective pump. Toyota has since expanded the recall two times, and by the end of October they had recalled nearly 3.35 million vehicles in total. 

Risks

A car that stalls while in motion is at a high risk of getting hit from behind. 

Denso has warned in recall documents that vehicles may stall while driving. Drivers should keep an eye on the check engine light and other warning indicators. If the car is “rough running” or fails to start, these are signs that something may be wrong with the fuel pump.

If your car stalls:

  • Turn on the emergency hazard lights.
  • Try to shift into neutral and maneuver your car to the side of the road. 
  • Call  your roadside assistance provider
  •  Be sure to stay in the car. The shoulder is very  dangerous for pedestrians.

The repair

Denso has notified Toyota of the recall expansion, and it is now Toyota’s responsibility to recall the fuel pumps and provide a fix. If it is anything like the previous Toyota recalls of Denso fuel pumps, Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with a nondefective one for free. Toyota owners were only notified of the prior recall on November 23, but the remedy has not yet become available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 1.5 million vehicles have been added to this Denso recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandToyota to recall cars with Denso fuel pumps
2020 Toyota Highlanders recalled for suffocated airbags

2020 Toyota Highlanders recalled for suffocated airbags

November 10, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – March 20, 2022 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) has remedied issues on 2,749 2020 Toyota Highlander models with issues with side curtain airbags that may not deploy properly due to blockage with the seats. Additionally, 47 of these Toyota Highlander models have been categorized as unreachable and only one has been removed from the recall. One group of these Toyota vehicles with side curtain airbag deployment problems were remedied in 2020, and three other groups were remedied in 2021.

Pleasanton, CA – October 14, 2020 – Toyota (NYSE: TM) has recalled 3,121 Highlander crossovers whose seats may block the side airbags from deploying. The recall includes 2020 Toyota Highlanders and Highlander Hybrids models. 

Recall summary  

The 2020 Highlander’s seats contain airbags that cushion the driver side and passenger side of the vehicle in the case of a crash. In order to deploy, the airbags must burst through a seam in the front seats that is designed to tear and let the airbag out. 

But, due to a manufacturing mix-up, pieces of the left and right seat-covers may have been reversed in these vehicles. This incorrect seat trim means that the seam may not be in the correct place, which could keep the airbags from deploying. In 2018, Toyota recalled several vehicles due to similar airbag deployment issues.

The components involved are Seat Assy, Fr LH and Seat Assy, Fr RH, which are part of the driver and passenger seat assembly, respectively.

Risks

These side-impact torso airbags (SABs) are designed to help protect the driver and passenger from impacts on either side of the vehicle. They would come handy if, for example, you are thrown against the door of the car during a crash or t-boned by a distracted driver.

Although they have never been required by law, the percentage of car models built with side airbags has increased steadily since 1996. 2020 Highlanders, and many other vehicles, pair a torso bag with a “curtain” style airbag, which covers the window and protects the driver’s head. Together, they are estimated to reduce side-impact crash fatalities by 31.3%. 

The repair

Vehicle owners will be notified about the recall on December 13. Toyota dealers will replace the seat covers if they are not installed correctly.

Other Toyota Highlander Recalls

In 2020, Toyota recalled certain 2018-2019 Toyota Highlander vehicles due to a software error that showed incorrect information on capacity labels. The recall included Highlander SUVs from the 2018 model year produced between Oct. 24 and 26, 2017.

In 2018, Toyota recalled several vehicles, including the 2018 Toyota Highlander Sport, due to issues with potentially defective brake components. Toyota directed dealers to replace the vacuum pump assemblies in affected vehicles free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

There are over 3,000 affected SUVs included in this Toyota recall. To see if your car is subject to this recall or other safety issues, use MotorSafety’s vehicle identification number (VIN) look up tool.

Rebecca Rand2020 Toyota Highlanders recalled for suffocated airbags
BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra recalled for in-your-face headlights

BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra recalled for in-your-face headlights

October 12, 2020 Rebecca Rand ,

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 28, 2020 – BMW of North America LLC (OTCMKTS: BMWYY) has recalled 4,265 cars with faulty headlights that may create glare for oncoming drivers, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes: 

  • 2019-2020 BMW Z4 roadsters
  • 2020 Toyota Supra sports cars

Recall summary  

Due to a manufacturing mistake, the headlights on these vehicles are able to be pointed left and right. This is not allowed by federal motor vehicle safety regulations, which state that the low beams – used to light the road ahead of the car – must not be horizontally adjustable.

What does Toyota have to do with it? 

The 2020 Toyota Supra is part of the BMW Z4 recall because both vehicles are the result of a collaboration between Toyota and BMW. The Supra uses many BMW parts and is built at the same plant as the Z4.

Risks

It is important for headlights to work properly to maximize visibility for everyone on the road. Beams that are not aimed properly may cause glare, blinding oncoming drivers. At the same time, lights that are not bright enough limit how much the person behind the wheel can see. Both increase the risk of collisions.

Of all the fatal accidents in the United States, about half happen at night, when only a quarter of trips take place. So not only is reduced visibility responsible for more accidents, these accidents are also more severe.

The repair

BMW dealers will inspect vehicles’ headlights and correct the problem for free. The recall repair is currently available and should take less than half a day.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 4,000 vehicles are part of this BMW recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandBMW Z4 and Toyota Supra recalled for in-your-face headlights
Toyota Tundra trucks recalled for faulty turn signals and hazard lights

Toyota Tundra trucks recalled for faulty turn signals and hazard lights

September 16, 2020 Ken Boyd

Pleasanton, CA – July 15 2020 – Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) has recalled 183,397 Toyota Tundra trucks with front turn signals and front hazard warning lights that do not flash brightly enough, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes:

  • 2018-2020 Toyota Tundra trucks

Recall summary  

The turn signals and hazard lights operate using LED headlights.  A wiring error on the part of a supplier resulted in  signals and lights not being bright enough. 

Federal law requires that signals must be bright enough for other drivers to notice and understand that the vehicle is signaling a turn. In July, Toyota determined that the signals did not meet the standard and began the recall on August 17th.

Risks 

 Hazard lights are often used when the vehicle is not  moving or has mechanical problems.  Other drivers, particularly those in oncoming traffic, must be able to clearly see both turn signals and  hazard lights. If the lights are not noticeable, there is a high risk of a crash.

The 2020 Tundra has no other safety recalls, but both the 2018 and 2019 models have had various issues – including those with the fuel pump and the airbags – that have resulted in separate recalls.

The repair

The affected trucks need the wiring that connects to the lights to be replaced. The repair takes 45 minutes but Toyota advises owners that it may be necessary to leave the vehicle for a longer period of time. The repair is available now and is free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 180,000 trucks are included in this Toyota recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydToyota Tundra trucks recalled for faulty turn signals and hazard lights
Toyota expands Prius recall

Toyota expands Prius recall

June 25, 2020 Joe Glaser

Pleasanton, CA – June 25, 2020 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling more Priuses for an electrical problem that may cause the car to suddenly lose power on the road.

The recall includes:

  • 2013-2015 Toyota Prius
  • 2014-2017 Toyota Prius V

Recall summary

Like with other Prius recalls in 2014 and 2018, the electrical system is at fault. Sometimes, hard acceleration overheats and damages a part called the inverter, which controls power flow in the car.  This usually triggers a fail-safe mode – also known as a  “limp-home” mode –  but this specific defect is causing cars to stall instead.

Sudden loss of power on the road can cause collisions, which may lead to injury and even death of the driver and other motorists.  The recall officially begins on August 10, 2020, but repairs will become available sometime in July.

In the meantime, drivers “should avoid placing a high load on the hybrid system by avoiding [rapidly accelerating from a full stop] when possible.”

Driving risks

Stalling at a stoplight is arguably not as dangerous as losing power on the freeway. Vehicles may not be able to react in time and could ram a stalled car from behind. 

In April 2019, Ralph Vartabedian of the LA Times reported on drivers’ terrifying experiences with Prius inverter failure. “A Marina del Rey woman had to cross three lanes of fast-moving traffic on the 91 Freeway,” he wrote. “In another case, a Florida woman was rear-ended. The crash left her with a cracked vertebra and a punctured lung.”

If your car stalls, you should immediately turn on the emergency hazard lights and call 911 and your roadside assistance provider. Do not leave your vehicle if you are driving down a highway with several lanes of traffic.

Another software update

Toyota’s fix for the recall, like in 2018, is a software update. However, last time, dealers continued to see damaged inverters in cars that had received an update.

One of Toyota’s largest Southern California dealers, Roger Hogan reported the original issue to Toyota in 2017 and sued the company over the defect. Hogan believes the software is not the real problem, and that the only genuine fix would be to replace the inverter with a newer model, costing $2,000 per unit, according to Vartabedian’s article.

Toyota has launched a separate program to “repair or replace” damaged inverters for free before an update is performed. However, in order to qualify, the inverter must already be broken.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 266,000 cars are included in this Toyota recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to check your car for open recalls.

Joe GlaserToyota expands Prius recall
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