- Toyota will recall 412,000 vehicles in the U.S. to fix a steering problem.
- 2000-'04 Toyota Avalon and 2003-'07 Lexus LX 470 are included in the recall.
- The recall will begin in August.
TORRANCE, California — Toyota on Thursday said it will recall 412,000 vehicles in the U.S. to fix a steering problem that could lead to a crash. The affected vehicles include 373,000 2000-'04 Toyota Avalon sedans and 39,000 2003-'07 Lexus LX 470 SUVs.
The Japanese automaker, which has been beset by a string of recalls that have led to lawsuits and a congressional investigation, said the latest recall involves the steering lock bar in the aforementioned vehicles. The steering lock bar in these vehicles could break under certain conditions, it said in two statements issued early Thursday. The recall information is not yet posted with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal watchdog that oversees recalls.
"Because of improper casting of the steering lock bar, which is a component of the steering interlock system, there is a possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface," said Toyota in regard to the Avalon recall. "Such a crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the lock bar could break. If this occurs, the interlock system may become difficult to unlock when stationary.
"If the vehicle while being driven is steered to the right with sufficient lateral acceleration, a broken and loose lock bar may move toward the steering shaft. If the engagement hole in the shaft happens to line up at the specific time the broken lock bar has moved, this could cause the steering wheel lock bar to engage, locking the steering wheel, and increasing the risk of a crash."
About the LX 470 recall, Toyota said "construction of the steering shaft on involved LX 470s is such that the snap ring on the shaft may disengage when the vehicle experiences an unusually severe impact to the front wheels, such as striking a deep pothole. If the snap ring becomes disengaged and the steering wheel is then repeatedly turned to the full locked position, the steering shaft may disengage over time."
It said it is not aware of any accidents involved the LX 470 models subject to the recall. According to media reports, Toyota has received reports of three accidents involving the recalled Avalon models, but there have been no reported injuries.
Toyota dealers will replace the steering column bracket on the recalled Avalon vehicles. The recall is expected to begin in late August. Owners can contact Toyota at 800-331-4331.
Lexus dealers will replace the snap ring on the recalled LX 470 vehicles with a newly designed one and install an additional component to prevent separation of the steering shaft. The recall is expected to begin in mid-August. Owners can contact Lexus at 800-255-3987.
Inside Line says: If you own one of the aforementioned vehicles, be aware that it will need to be fixed in August. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
to626n says:
03:46 PM, 07/30/2010
@ teamfbody
Right and the domestics never had a "life threatening recall." Domestics have recalled their vehicles for almost anything you can think of. Just to name a few: tire blowouts, delayed airbag deployments, cruise control switches which overheat and can cause fires, etc.
to626n says:
03:39 PM, 07/30/2010
@ desmolicious
Could be tomorrow, who knows. As far as good looking and fun to drive, looks are always subjective IMO I find most Lexus vehicles to be attractive. They have fun to drive cars and most recently a supercar, ever heard of the LF-A?
teamfbody says:
02:38 PM, 07/30/2010
toyotas R TRASH just like ford,honda,subaru volkswagen etc now the TRICKERY & HYPNOSIS tthat toyota had on the weak ppl of the automotive world is finally wearing off LoL! i been telling ppl how much GARBAGE toyota was now they are beginning to see it for themselves recall after recall SERIOUS LIFE THREATNING RECALLS at that & ppl still support toyota when will they ever learn? im glad i never OWNED a toyota R had the desire to ever like a toyota toyotas will eventually fall apart once the BLIND FOLDED ppl see the light come to G.eneral M.otors dont allow toyota ,ford,honda,subaru,volkswagen to fool u any longer get away from the spell that these EVIL car companiez have on break the CURSE now!!!!!!!
desmolicious says:
02:29 PM, 07/30/2010
"Your point? If the domestics can recover from producing decades of awful cars surely Toyota can rebound from the last year of recalls and bad publicity."
I'm sure they can. I'll look forward to when they start producing reliable, nice looking, fun to drive cars .
Any idea when that'll be?
empire713 says:
01:02 PM, 07/30/2010
There having a lot of problems lately i think im moving back to america brands now
to626n says:
12:44 PM, 07/30/2010
@ lostboyz
Leaves a bad taste? Sure. But who is anyone to say that they can't bounce back. Look all I'm saying is if domestic automakers can make horrible cars for decades and win back customers after only 2 or 3 years of improving their quality, Toyota can do the same. Actually they have a strong chance of comming back seeing that they have been making reliable and high quality cars for decades and have taken a dive in just the past year.
lostboyz says:
04:24 AM, 07/30/2010
@to626n
when was the last time a manufacturer recalled almost their entire line for the past 2-3 years of production? How can that not put a bad taste in your mouth?
mirde98 says:
09:51 PM, 07/29/2010
I'll buy a Toyota over any GM/Chrysler vehicle any day.
to626n says:
09:19 PM, 07/29/2010
@ tmanz
No doubt most people including loyal Toyota/Lexus owners would share your concerns if they were looking at purchasing a new Toyota or Lexus today. If I were purchasing a new Toyota I would wait until the recalls die down. Just like any automaker that has survived numerous recalls, Toyota will get through this.
As far as the fun to drive factor, I bet an IS will please most drivers looking for something sporty. The only way you would notice any performance or handling difference between that or a 3 Series is on a racetrack.
to626n says:
09:11 PM, 07/29/2010
@ desmolicious
Your point? If the domestics can recover from producing decades of awful cars surely Toyota can rebound from the last year of recalls and bad publicity.