TORRANCE, California — Toyota on Wednesday announced a recall involving 95,700 Toyota and Scion vehicles sold in the U.S., including the 2009 and 2010 Corolla and Matrix and 2008 and 2009 Scion xD vehicles with 1.8-liter engines, to fix a brake problem that could "lead to lengthened vehicle stopping distances."
"Toyota has determined that if the vehicle is operated in extremely low ambient temperatures, there is a possibility that condensed moisture from the positive crankcase ventilation port may seep into the brake system vacuum port and freeze," said Toyota in a statement.
"Should this condition continue, ice may slowly accumulate at the brake system vacuum port and in the extreme case, ultimately plug the vacuum port. As a result of the accumulation of ice, power assist to the brakes would gradually decrease and lead to lengthened vehicle stopping distances."
The brake problem is expected to only affect vehicles in cold-weather states, noted Toyota. Vehicle owners from 19 affected states will get a recall notice in early September. Those states are: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Toyota dealers will install a new intake air connector, which relocates the brake-system vacuum port. The free repair will take about an hour.
Further information about the recall has yet to be posted on the recall portion of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site.
Inside Line says: If you own one of the aforementioned vehicles, have it checked out with your dealer ASAP. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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billy46 says:
04:25 PM, 01/26/2010
I have a 2009 Toyota Corolla and don't live in one of the states affected by the recall. However, I may move to one, or travel in one of those states when the ambient temperature is low enough to cause braking problems.
Of course Toyota doesn't want to be out the cost of recalling ALL affected vehicles. But, knowing that people do move from one state to another and that vehicles are resold in various states; erring on the side of safety, law makers should force Toyota to recall and fix All those affected vehicles.
sayitagain says:
07:59 PM, 11/16/2009
In your headline you forgot to mention what number this recall is. What number is it Anita Lienert? One, Two, or Three what could it be?