Toyota expands Prius recall

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

Faulty Suspension Issue Prompts Toyota To Recall 2018-2019 RAV4 Vehicles

Laguna Hills, CA – March 20, 2022 –Toyota has remedied issues with 8,715 2018-2019 RAV4 models which were dealing with Front Lower Suspension Arms problems that may separate from the front wheel assembly. Additionally, 171 of these 2018-2019 Toyota RAV4 models have been categorized as unreachable and 13 have been removed from the recall. Two groups of these RAV4 vehicles were remedied in 2020 and Three others were remedied in 2021 due to these Lower Suspension Problems.

Laguna Hills, CA – Jun 03, 2020Toyota recalls 2018-2019 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles because of cracks in the lower suspension arms. The cracks could result in the separation of the suspension arm from the front wheel assembly, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Hazards Created by the Faulty Suspension

If there is a crack in the suspension arm, it could eventually cause the suspension arm to break from the front wheel assembly. Depending upon the depth of the crack on the front lower arm and the vehicle’s driving patterns, the driver could potentially lose control of the vehicle when driving at high speeds.

Crashes that occur when drivers are traveling at high speeds are more serious and usually result in more severe injuries if not death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding was a factor in 9378 traffic-related deaths in 2018.

Upon discovering the problem with the cracks developing in some of the steel slabs, Toyota decided to conduct a voluntary recall of the vehicles for safety. Toyota’s records reveal that as of May 14, 2020, there are no known reported incidents related to the faulty RAV4 suspension issue, and no warranty claims have been filed.

Number of Vehicles Affected

Because only vehicles assembled with a specific slab of steel material from a specific supplier under certain production conditions contain the defect, Toyota does not know the actual number of the defected vehicles that exist.

Therefore, the 2020 Toyota recalls are based on the production records of the vehicles that could potentially be affected, which is a little more than 9,500 vehicles. The manufacture dates for the RAV4 vehicles are between September 25, 2019, and October 25, 2019. For the 2020 Toyota recalls, at least 1,000 of those RAV4 vehicles were distributed to Puerto Rico.

Toyota made a point to note that the RAV4 recalls do not apply to other Toyota or Lexus vehicles sold in the United States.

Other Toyota RAV4 Safety Issues

In 2019, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid sport utility vehicles were included in a recall for potentially defective brakes. More recently, owners should be reminded of the 2020 Toyota recalls relating to the fuel-tank issue.

Toyota is not the only manufacturer that seems to have problems with their suspension assemblies. Similar to the issue with the Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen recalled more that 7000 SUVs with defective suspension assemblies in 2018.

Toyota Not Yet Ready to Repair

Although a remedy is not yet available, Toyota estimates that RAV4 vehicle owners will be able to take their vehicle to any certified Toyota dealership to have the front lower suspension arms replaced as early as July 2020. To get the process started and locate a dealership near you, start by looking up your vehicle with the MotorSafety Vehicle Lookup Tool.

Joe GlaserFaulty Suspension Issue Prompts Toyota To Recall 2018-2019 RAV4 Vehicles

Toyota Recalls 3.4 Million Vehicles, Claiming Faulty Airbag Deployment

Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 21, 2020 – Toyota is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles that may be installed with a faulty airbag installation.

The estimated total of affected vehicles is 3.4 million.

The Defect

Toyota is recalling 3.4 million vehicles worldwide (estimated 2.9 million affected U.S. vehicles) claiming that they were installed with an electronic defect causing the air bags not to deploy during a crash. The electronic control defect in the affected vehicles are not equipped with requisite protection against electrical noise during a vehicle crash – this can lead to an improper deployment of the airbag and impeded use and operation of seat-belt pretensioners. The electrical over-stress in certain Toyota vehicles is estimated to have caused one fatal crashes according to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

The faulty airbag control units were originally installed by TRW Automotive Holdings Corp and are estimated to be installed in 12.3 million Toyota, Fiat, Chrysler, Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi automobiles. NHTSA claims that eight deaths could be caused by the over-stress of the installed airbag control units. 

The Solution

Toyota has claimed that the solution to the issue would be to install a noise filter between the airbag control unit and the wire harness. If vehicle owners suspect that their specific vehicle is affected, they are advised to bring their vehicle into an authorized Toyota dealership for service or call Toyota customer service at 800-331-4331.

For more information on this and other recalls, visit www.motorsafety.org.

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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Marshall EarleyToyota Recalls 3.4 Million Vehicles, Claiming Faulty Airbag Deployment

Toyota recalls certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles due to faulty fuel pump

Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 16, 2020 – Toyota is recalling certain 2018 and 2019 Toyota and Lexus model year vehicles that may be installed with a faulty fuel pump. Hybrid vehicles are exempt from this recall.

The estimated total of affected vehicles is more than 1,830,000

The Defect

Toyota has not released specifics on the defect in the faulty fuel pumps. Affected drivers should expect to notice that the vehicle’s engine will start to run rough and a series of warning lights may appear on the dashboard or car monitor. Affected vehicles engines may stall and not restart if installed with the recalled fuel pump. 

Affected vehicles include

• 2018 and 2019 Toyota 4Runner, Highlander, Land Cruiser, and Sequoia SUVs; Toyota Camry sedans; Toyota Sienna minivans; and Toyota Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks

• 2018 and 2019 Lexus ES 350, GS 350, IS 300, LS 500 and sedans; Lexus LC 500, RC 350, and RC 300 coupes; and Lexus GX 460, LX 570, and RX 350 SUVs

• 2019 Lexus NX 300 and RX 350 L SUVs and GS 300 and GS200t sedans

• 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla sedans

Toyota cannot confirm or deny the number of injuries related to this specific recall.

Solution

According to a statement released by Toyota there is no current solution for this specific recall as the company is still “investigating the issue.” If vehicle owners suspect that their specific vehicle is affected, they are advised to stop operation of the vehicle and call Toyota customer service at 800-331-4331 or Lexus customer service at 800-255-3987 immediately. The specific recall numbers for Toyota vehicles are 20TB02 and 20TA02. The specific recall numbers for Lexus vehicles are 20LB01 and 20LA01. 

Affected vehicle owners should expect a formal notification from Toyota by mid-March, with specific instructions as the cause and solution of the faulty fuel pump issue. 

For more information on this and other recalls, visit www.motorsafety.org.

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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Marshall EarleyToyota recalls certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles due to faulty fuel pump

New Toyota vehicles recalled for seat belt issues

Plano, TX – January 4, 2022 – Toyota has remedied issues on 7,693 vehicles, including the 2020 Corolla and the 2020 Toyota C-HR with a rear seat belt malfunction. In addition, 179 of these models have been categorized as unreachable and none were removed from the recall. Four groups of 2020 Toyota Corolla models were remedied in 2020 and two were remedied in 2021, for presenting these issues where the rear seat belt assemblies may not lock as intended.

In 2020, Nissan recalled certain 2020 Infiniti Q60 vehicles for similar issues with the rear seat belt that will not lock properly in the event of a crash.

Laguna Hills, Calif. – Dec. 26, 2019 – Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing is recalling certain 2019-2020 C-HR, 2020 Corolla, and Corolla Hybrid vehicles with rear seat belt issues. The affected vehicles are equipped with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism that includes a seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism that may not work as expected.

The potential number of vehicles affected is 9,468.

The Defect

The defect is specific to vehicles that are equipped with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual- mode locking mechanism. The dual- mode locking mechanism is meant to lock the seat belt webbing. The mechanism goes into affect based on feedback from vehicle deceleration (G-sensor) and whether the seat belt webbing is pulled out quickly (webbing sensor). However, during a specific production period, which lasted from August 26, 2019, until October 10, 2019, part supplier Joyson Safety Systems used an improper adjustment while assembling a certain spring that was used in the webbing sensor locking mechanism. The spring may be installed at an incorrect position in certain affected vehicles. An incorrectly positioned spring may interfere with other components in the webbing sensor locking mechanism and cause the mechanism to not lock properly. The G-sensor will not be affected unless the vehicle has been involved in certain types of crashes. As a result of the defect, an occupant may not be restrained properly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Toyota estimates that about 4% of vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism have the defect.

Timeline Of Events

On August 28, 2019, a Toyota plant team member found that a webbing sensor locking mechanism for the rear seat belt on a vehicle that was in production did not activate. The possible defect was reported to Joyson Safety Systems, who launched their own investigation. This investigation determined the cause of the defect. A review by Joyson Safety Systems of their production history also identified other recent assemblies that contained similar issues. The next day, August 29, 2019, Joyson Safety Systems was able to adjust the compression pin that was being used for the defective springs to a proper position. Further review found that the problem may have been created by an adjustment on August 19, 2019.

On December 5, 2019, Toyota decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall campaign for the affected vehicles. Toyota has determined that no Toyota Field Technical Reports or warranty claims have been filed in the United States that pertain to this specific defect.

Other 2020 Toyota Corolla Recalls

In July 2019, Toyota recalled almost 7,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective brakes including the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid sedans and some others. By December 2021, 97% of these recalls had been remedied by Toyota.

The Solution

Owners of affected vehicles that are known to Toyota will be notified to bring their vehicles in to a certified Toyota dealer. Each dealer will be tasked with inspecting the production date of the vehicle’s rear seat belt assemblies to determine if the vehicle is affected. If the vehicle contains the defect, dealers will replace the seat belt assembly with a new one that was produced correctly. Notifications to dealers were sent on December 10, 2019. Notifications for affected owners will occur in early February 2020. For both owners and dealers, a copy of the notification will be submitted by Toyota.

Payment for all of the repairs will be paid through the Toyota New Vehicle Limited Warranty, as all affected vehicles are within the active period of the warranty.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Toyota recall includes more than 9,000 2020 Corolla and 2019-2020 Toyota C-HR models. To see if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle recall lookup tool.

Sean ReyesNew Toyota vehicles recalled for seat belt issues

Toyota yanks over 928,200 cars with faulty Takata airbags

Laguna Hills, CA – October 24, 2019 – Toyota is recalling more than 928,200 models of various types due to concerns that the air bags installed in these vehicles’ dashboards and steering wheels could explode upon deployment in a crash and hurl deadly shrapnel at the driver or passengers.

A total of 17 different model types are included in this recall action, several of which are under Toyota’s luxury brand. Here’s a partial list:

  • 2007-2012 Lexus ES350
  • 2010-2017 Lexus GX460
  • 2006-2012 Lexus IS 250
  • 2010-2015 Lexus IS 250c
  • 2006-2012 Lexus IS 350
  • 2010-2016 Toyota 4Runner
  • 2003-2013 Toyota Corolla
  • 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla Matrix
  • 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4
  • 2002-2007 Toyota Sequoia

The defect

Toyota has announced the recall of 928,203 models because the air bag inflators may be faulty. The propellant used to inflate the air bags once triggered may degrade in high-humidity environments, which could lead to an explosion of the air bag itself. Sharp objects within the unit could cause serious injury or death should they strike the passenger or driver.

Timeline of events

As previously noted, Toyota is one of several automakers impacted by air bag recalls, as millions of automobiles have returned to dealerships so their original bags can be swapped out for fully operating ones. In fact, all of the listed vehicles were a part of a separate air bag recall for the same problem. This is the second and final phase of the original recall. The errant air bags in question were developed by Takata, which filed for bankruptcy in 2017. According to Reuters, at least 24 people have been killed worldwide as a result of rupturing air bags. Of these deaths, 16 took place in the U.S.

Just because there are recall notices out on numerous makes and models doesn’t mean that they’re all attended to, despite owners’ receipt of notifications. In 2018, however, repair rates improved rather sharply among several models. These included the 2006 Ford Ranger (82% in October 2018 from 6% in January 2018), and multiple 2001-2003 Honda models, with an overall 96% repair rate by the end of 2018, according to NHTSA data.

Several of the automobiles subject to this latest air bag recall were also involved in a previous one that was announced in February. That one affected 1.2 million vehicles, among them 2010-2016 4Runner, 2011-2013 Corolla and 2011-2013 Corolla Matrix vehicles.

The solution

Starting November 15, Toyota will begin distributing notifications via first-class mail informing owners of this most recent air bag recall. Before this, however, each car will be inspected to determine the nature of the problem and the appropriate corrective action. For example, the driver and/or passenger air bags may be defective. Whatever the case may be, the inflator, air bag assembly or both will be swapped out. This repair is free, and the fix should take approximately one hour to complete.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 928,000 cars were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021, 545,271 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Note: June 8, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have added the last section to allow the driver to check if his or her car is part of the recall and reflect the most up-to-date information on the recall’s completion rates. The article has also been updated to reflect the latest editorial standards.

Sean ReyesToyota yanks over 928,200 cars with faulty Takata airbags

Toyota recalls vehicles with defective brakes

December 16, 2021 Update — Toyota Motor North America has remedied issues presented on 6,753 (97% of total) of their vehicles including the 2020 Toyota Prius and the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid with brake failures. Other data provided by Toyota are that 39 of these models have been categorized as unreachable and 18 have been removed from the recall. Two groups of these models were remedied in 2019 and four groups in 2020 for improperly manufactured booster pumps.

This may increase the stopping distance and by consequence the risk of a crash and injury, just like was reported on a similar recall for the 2018-2019 Toyota Camry with brake failure issues.

Laguna Hills, Calif. — July 31, 2019 — Toyota Motor North America has recalled almost 7,000 vehicles including the 2020 Toyota Prius and the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid equipped with defective brakes, according to an organizational press release. The safety action affects multiple models across the Toyota and Lexus brands, including:

  • 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid sport utility vehicles
  • 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime sedans
  • 2020 Toyota Prius sedans
  • 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid sedans
  • 2019 Lexus UX 250h crossovers
  • 2019 Lexus ES 300h sedans
  • 2019 Lexus LC 500 and LC 500h coupes

Similar to what happened in the past with brake issues on some 2017-2018 Toyota and Lexus models, the Japanese automaker has yet to speculate just how many of the recalled vehicles could actually contain the defective components.

The Defect

The affected vehicles could come equipped with brake assemblies that have improperly manufactured and failure-prone booster pumps. Should these features falter, both the brake assist and Vehicle Stability Control modules may also stop functioning, drastically reducing vehicle drivability and increasing the risk of an accident. And in addition to posing an immense danger to owners, occupants and pedestrians, the defect creates a condition that violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 126, which requires “electronic stability control systems on passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 Kg (10,000 pounds) or less,” according to the NHTSA.

Timeline of Events

Toyota has yet to release more specific details on the investigation that lead to this recall.

The Solution

The automaker has directed dealers to assess all recalled vehicles and, if necessary, replace their brake booster pumps at no cost to customers. Toyota intends to notify owners throughout the month of September 2019 via first-class mail. Those in need of more immediate assistance can connect with Toyota customer service personnel by calling (800) 331-4331, or reach out to Lexus staff at (800) 255-3987. Owners can always contact the NHTSA directly by using the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Almost 7,000 vehicles are included in this GM recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Sean ReyesToyota recalls vehicles with defective brakes

Prius Owners Due For Yet Another Recall Notice

Laguna Hills, CA – July 26, 2019 – Toyota Motor Corporation is recalling certain Prius C models due to a performance and safety issue that may prevent the vehicle’s battery from working when the automobile is in drive mode, increasing the risk of a crash for users of 2018 and 2019 models. Given this is one of several recalls affecting the company’s popular hybrid over the past five years, Toyota urges Prius C owners to get in touch with their local dealer so this issue can be corrected if this or another flaw exists. Toyota hasn’t yet officially informed registered owners of this potential hazard, but will make them aware via first-class mail Aug. 12. Safety-related automotive recalls are free of charge, and this one is no exception.

The Defect

As documented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Toyota is recalling approximately 464 2018-2019 Prius C vehicles. The problem affecting a limited number of these hybrid automobiles is related to its propulsion system. Apparently, the auxiliary battery, which comes standard in all Priuses, may not receive the power it needs to propel the vehicle forward because of a flaw within the circuit board, which may have occurred at some point during the manufacturing or assembly process. If the transistor to the circuit board were to separate, the battery may lose its ability to energize the vehicle. This of course presents a safety hazard for Prius C owners as well as others on the road should this malfunction occur, especially when moving at a high rate of speed.

Timeline of Events

Unlike other recalls cleared with the NHTSA, which tend to be more isolated in nature, this isn’t the first affecting the Prius. As reported by the Los Angeles Times and other media outlets, an estimated 20,000 Prius owners have reported power system failures tracing back to 2014. At that time, over 800,000 Priuses were pulled from the market because of a glitch with the vehicle’s inverter transistors, which also impacted propulsion and the potential for the automobile to suddenly power down. This recall affected C models manufactured between 2010 and 2014. Another recall was ordered last October to correct certain power failures that the original recall didn’t address.

This most recent recall is different in a couple of respects. First, it pertains to 2018 and 2019 models and it’s much smaller. Indeed, Toyota believes that of the 464 vehicles included in the recall, likely only 10% have the defect. This is partially due to the DC-DC converter that is exclusive to those Prius C vehicles built between February 2018 and October of the same year.

The Solution

Even though there may be no immediate signs of separation, the propulsion issue may develop over time, depending on how frequently Prius owners drive and how many years they go before buying a new or used vehicle. Given this, Toyota is making this move out of an abundance of caution. The company says it will formally inform owners of the safety concern by mail starting in mid-August and will encourage drivers to take their automobile back to the dealer from which they purchased it or to any authorized Toyota dealership. If it’s deemed appropriate, the DC-DC converter will be replaced with an alternative unit, which will come at no cost to the owner for parts or labor.

As previously referenced, this latest is recall is one of several for Prius models. If you own one that’s 10 years or older, visit MotorSafety.org. By entering your VIN information, you can find out if your subject to this or some other recall order.

Sean ReyesPrius Owners Due For Yet Another Recall Notice

Over 1,000 Toyota Models Require Recalls Due To Labeling Error

Laguna Hills, CA – July 22, 2019 – A subsidiary of Toyota Motor Company is recalling certain Corolla, Sienna, Yaris iA and Camry models due to a labeling flaw that may misinform users of how much weight their automobiles can safely carry. Should motorists go by the poundage listed, the overexertion may lead to a mechanical or handling issue that could lead to a crash. Motorists should check the label on their factory-installed floor mats to see if they’re affected and contact their nearest Toyota dealership so the clerical issue can be corrected. The replacement will come at no charge.

The Defect

In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Southeast Toyota Distributors is recalling a combined 1,325 models. While the models themselves differ from one another they all contain the same flaw: a labeling error that misidentifies how much weight the cars can withstand. Load capacity is a detail that automakers must abide by, pursuant to the regulation “Tire Selection and Rims,” of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.

The following vehicles may contain errant load capacity information:

  • 2017-2019 Camry
  • 2017-2019 Corolla
  • 2017-2019 Sienna
  • 2017-2019 Yaris
  • 2017-2019 RAV4

As detailed in the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, whenever weight modifications are made to an automobile between certification and when they first go on showroom floors, they must be accounted for and corroborated through labeling if the weight differentiation is 100 pounds or more. However, some of the labels affixed to the factory floor mats were “not accurate to within 1% of the actual added weight.”

“In the worst case, a driver may overload a vehicle, which may increase the risk of a crash,” the report said.

Timeline of Events

As is frequently the case, this issue was first noticed during a routine quality control check, this time conducted by Southeast Toyota Distributors. In March, a staff member determined that the load capacity modification specifics were included in only a portion of the automobiles that had received the weight changes. SET informed corporate and on June 20, the automaker determined that the appropriate corrections should proceed in accordance with the FMVSS standard No. 110. Dealers were notified of the impending recall roughly a week later.

The Solution

Starting no later than August 27, SET says it will brief Toyota owners that their vehicle may be affected and will encourage them to bring the car to a local dealership. The proper label will be affixed to the floor mat, so it corresponds with the actual net weight. This will come at no expense to the owner.

For more information on this or any other safety recall, please visit MotorSafety.org. Be sure to have your 17-digit VIN available.

Sean ReyesOver 1,000 Toyota Models Require Recalls Due To Labeling Error

Toyota Recalls 2019 Camry and Avalon Hybrid Vehicles for Fuel Filler Pipe Issue

 

Laguna Hills, CA – March 21, 2019 – Toyota is recalling certain 2019 Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The fuel filler pipe may have been incorrectly refastened to the fuel tank during a safety inspection after the vehicle was assembled. The improperly connected component may leak fuel, which could catch fire if a spark or ignition source is nearby. As many as 205 vehicles may be affected by this issue.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety Recall Report on this issue, the fuel filler pipe may not have been properly reconnected to the fuel tank during an inspection after vehicle assembly. As a result, the improperly connected filler pipe could leak fuel, resulting in an increased risk of fire.

Timeline of Events

Toyota received two reports from dealers in January 2019 describing fuel leaking underneath the vehicle during refueling. The automaker began an investigation into the issue and found that the vehicles in these two reports had been part of a group of vehicles involved in an inspection for potential replacement of the fuel filler pipe prior to dealer delivery. The inspection was described as a quality confirmation activity.

Toyota then began a field survey to inspect additional vehicles that had been part of this quality confirmation activity. As a result of the survey, two additional vehicles with the same disconnected fuel filler pipe issue were identified.

Based on the investigation, quality confirmation activity team interviews and a review of the vehicle design drawings, Toyota determined that the vehicles did not meet certain U.S. federal motor vehicle safety standard requirements, and so decided to conduct a recall beginning in March 2019.

The Solution

The recall will begin March 2019. Toyota will notify all known owners of affected vehicles by April 15, 2019. Owners will be told to return their vehicles to a Toyota dealer for inspection of the fuel filler pipe. If it turns out that the pipe had been improperly connected or unsecured, the dealer will replace the fuel filler pipe with a new one at no cost, as the repair would be covered under Toyota’s new vehicle warranty.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota’s number for this recall is K0I. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V097000.

Sean ReyesToyota Recalls 2019 Camry and Avalon Hybrid Vehicles for Fuel Filler Pipe Issue