- Toyota is recalling 50,000 2003 Sequoias to fix a problem with slow acceleration.
- The Sequoia recall has yet to be posted on the NHTSA Web site.
- Owners will be notified of the recall in late May.
TORRANCE, California — Toyota is recalling 50,000 2003 Sequoia SUVs to fix a problem with slow acceleration, the company said on Wednesday. Word of this latest recall comes just one day after U.S. lawmakers said they intend to introduce tougher auto safety regulations in the aftermath of other Toyota recalls this year.
The Sequoia recall has yet to be posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site. NHTSA oversees vehicle recalls for the U.S. government. Toyota had been criticized for what lawmakers said has been a slow response to vehicle recalls earlier this year. Toyota said the Sequoia recall underscores its new aggressive approach to recalls.
"Toyota is committed to investigating customer complaints more aggressively and to responding quickly to issues we identify in our vehicles," said Steve St. Angelo, Toyota's new chief quality officer for North America, in a statement.
Toyota dealers will upgrade the "program logic" in the Sequoia's vehicle stability control system, the automaker said. Without such an upgrade, the VSC system could activate at low speed for a few seconds after acceleration from a stopped position, and "as a result, the vehicle may not accelerate as quickly as the driver expects," Toyota said.
It noted that there have been no reported injuries or accidents as a result of this condition.
Owners will be notified of the recall in late May.
Inside Line says: This is more than just your run-of-the-mill recall. It's Toyota trying to show a new responsiveness to vehicle problems — but will consumers and lawmakers buy it? — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
svt_man says:
05:58 PM, 05/19/2010
jerry727: With all due respect to Jack Safro, who passed away last year, I've never had good luck at any of the Jack Safro dealerships. I told Jack Safro Lincoln Mercury about my 2006 Ford Fusion's service bulletin that I wanted implemented (fixed some ECU logic), and they acted like I was nuts. So, I promptly took my vehicle elsewhere and never returned to them again. But - yeah - it sounds like Toyota has a LONG way to come with its electronics ...
jerry727 says:
03:12 PM, 04/30/2010
My 2004 Toyota Sequoia Displayed a dangerous throttle shut down on slippery roads, allowing the SUV to stall in traffic. Reported it in the first week of ownership. Toyota covered it up, denied that it could happen and refused to do anything. They said "Toyota does not build bad cars" don't come back.
Went to arbitration. I'll never ever do that again. It was a sham. Arbitrator sided with Toyota even before reviewing the facts. No wonder. Found out later that the arbitrator is paid by Toyota. Now after 6 years, it is coming out that there is a problem with the stability control. It is criminal that Toyota can hide dangerous defects for 6 years. Recently checked with the dealer, Safro of Waukesha. Dealer said "We know nothing about a recall. Have nothing from Toyota. Don't call us we will call you". They are STILL DOING IT! They lie about problems long enough that the customers either die from the problem or sell the car.
lifebylight says:
04:23 AM, 04/30/2010
I guess slow acceleration is better than too much acceleration. Hopefully Toyota doesn't go overboard so they have to dial it back down again.
goaterguy says:
06:03 AM, 04/29/2010
That would be great if they could find a Sequoia that had a working VSC/ABS computer! My brother's 2006 started lighting up like a Christmas tree and after some searching, there is a lot of defective ones.
twa727 says:
05:25 PM, 04/28/2010
come on toyota. get it right already.
m89 says:
04:17 PM, 04/28/2010
It's nice that Toyota is trying to make up for their mistakes, but in this case it seems slightly overboard. I suppose if there were enough complaints about the VSC system then it was worth addressing, however, if not, then it just sounds like a PR damage control tactic.
I also find it a bit funny that the GX460 is being recalled for its VSC not being responsive enough, and now the Sequoia is being recalled for its VSC being too responsive. I wonder if that means Toyota will recall more vehicles equipped with VSC to ensure that the system is calibrated to intervene at the right time?
thaitanium15 says:
03:35 PM, 04/28/2010
Irony sucks.