TOYOTA stops production in USA (Recall)

[vztrt]

Toyota to test SUVs for safety

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257706000FDE3D

Toyota to re-test its full range of SUVs in wake of Lexus GX460 safety issue

15 April 2010

By TERRY MARTIN

TOYOTA Motor Corporation (TMC) will re-test the handling safety of its full range of SUV models – including the LandCruiser, LandCruiser Prado and the RAV4 – after suspending global sales of the Lexus GX460 earlier this week.

The company has not suspended sales of any other models, despite initiating a worldwide showroom freeze on the GX after a consumer magazine in the US determined the Prado-based vehicle was a “safety risk” that could be involved in a rollover crash.

As GoAuto reported yesterday, Toyota Australia was awaiting specific advice from TMC but said it had no plans to suspend sales of Australia’s biggest-selling SUV – the LandCruiser Prado – in response to events overseas.

The GX460 is not currently sold in Australia.

TMC spokesman Mieko Iwasaki told AFP today that Toyota will continue to sell the LandCruiser, Prado and the RAV4 models while its engineers were re-testing them.

“The company will start testing all the other SUV models, including the LandCruiser, LandCruiser Prado and RAV4,” Mr Iwasaki said.

The recall-hit Japanese manufacturer has reacted swiftly to the unfolding SUV safety problem after being criticised for not acting quickly enough – and being accused by the US transportation secretary Ray LaHood earlier this month of “knowingly hiding a dangerous defect” – in relation to the separate issue of sticky accelerator pedals.

Influential magazine Consumer Reports this week handed down a “don’t buy” verdict for the GX460 after experiencing a problem during its emergency handling tests. It said that when pushed to its limits, the rear of the GX “slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control”.

“We believe that in real-world driving, that situation could lead to a rollover accident, which could cause serious injury or death,” the magazine said. “We are not aware, however, of any such reports.”

In response, Toyota suspended sales of the GX460 pending a “vigorous” engineering evaluation.

Australian journalists have also highlighted handling issues with Toyota SUVs, with Fairfax questioning the LandCruiser’s stability control system in its Car of the Year testing last year, and Wheels magazine criticising the Kluger after its editor rolled the SUV during its 2007 COTY testing.

Toyota Australia spokesman Mike Breen told GoAuto that the issue with the GX was specific to the US market, despite it being built on the same platform (and in the same factory) as the Australian Prado.

He said issues such as the GX’s V8 engine, additional weight and ESC (or VSC, in Toyota terminology) calibration separated it from the Australian Prado.

“We obviously don’t sell that model here, so it doesn’t affect us,” Mr Breen said.

“From what I understand, the article went to great lengths to explain that the (Toyota) 4Runner that they sell in the United States with the V6 engine is based on the Prado platform as well and there are no issues with the V6 4Runner there, so there are no issues with the Prado here.

“The calibration of the VSC would be different for the V8 car, which would be different obviously to the Prado that we sell here. The VSCs are calibrated to the environment that they operate in, and the Australian environment is obviously quite different to the United States.

“We have had no enquiries or any concerns from customers about that issue, and that’s obviously how we pick it up – and we’ve sold quite a few thousand since we launched it.

“No customers have complained about the VSC coming in too late, or any concerns with the VSC’s operation as far as timing is concerned,” he said.

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Toyota retail revamp to divert recall attention

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257706001638D0

A flagship site and sales milestones underpin a new, improved-quality Toyota

15 April 2010

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS

TOYOTA is trying to put its ongoing overseas recall saga behind it and move forward as new models appear on the horizon in Australia, with a pair of announcements this month designed to put a positive spin back into the T-brand.

The first is a modern and progressive dealership facility in Adelaide’s CBD, while the second is its five millionth Australian vehicle sale milestone.

Both were deemed newsworthy enough for Toyota to gather Australia’s motoring media to the new $25 million West Terrace dealership – a four-storey, 35-bay showroom and service centre combination featuring a lounge area with refreshments, WIFI connectivity, and an express service regime for selected Toyota vehicles.

A similar site just 150 metres away for Lexus vehicles is due for completion in 2012.

The progressive (for Toyota) open-plan layout is expected to be replicated in future dealership upgrades or installations, as the national dealer body collectively continues to spend over $100m annually on upgrading facilities across the country.

The West Terrace Toyota is owned and run by CMI Commercial Motor Industries – one of Australia’s oldest dealership groups with ties leading back to 1934. It was also the South Australian agent for Toyota commercial vehicles from 1963 to 1988.

Meanwhile, the five millionth vehicle – a Camry – was purchased in March, culminating in 2.9 million passenger cars and 2.1 million commercial vehicle sales. Of these 1.1 million were Corollas, followed by the Camry and LandCruiser (740,000 apiece) and HiLux (650,000).

However it was not all chest beating, since Toyota’s sales and marketing boss David Buttner did spend time revealing his company’s reactions to, as well as action resulting from, the global recall mess anyway, reiterating a redoubling of its core safety, quality and customer focus fundamentals on both a national and international level.

“All cars will become much safer in the future across all brands (as a result of the increased scrutiny on safety and quality),” Mr Buttner said.

He then spoke of Toyota’s volume gains in Australia this year (to date more than 1300 Hybrid Camrys have been sold so it is on target for 10,000 buyers in 2010, while the brand’s March result is 22.3 per cent ahead of the same time last year) and increased production at the Altona plant.

Mr Buttner also underlined Toyota Motor Company in Japan’s continuing support for local manufacturing in Australia, which has resulting in around $200 million worth of purchasing over the last 12 months alone of South Australian supplied parts in the locally made Camry and Aurion.

According to one Toyota spokesman, the idea of the media gathering (besides the dealer news and sales milestone) was so future product launches this year – such as next month’s Rukus crossover/compact SUV – would not be hijacked by a barrage of questions regarding recalls and quality woes.

This was the fate suffered by the Hybrid Camry on its February unveiling, just as the worst of the overseas recall news was hitting the headlines.

“We need to move forward so we thought it would be a good idea to have you all here now so we can get on with things when we next meet,” the spokesman told GoAuto.

“Of course there’s always the risk of opening old wounds but in the end we decided this was the right way to go.”

[vztrt]

Toyota tackling recall woes ‘head-on’

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25770600157B44

With 1.7 million vehicles fixed worldwide, Toyota says it's back on track

15 April 2010

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS

TOYOTA says it has already rectified more than 1.7 million vehicles worldwide since the recall of 8.5 million vehicles earlier this year, with around 50,000 coming in to be fixed daily in the United States.

One quarter of a million vehicles have also been sorted out in the United Kingdom in six weeks, says Toyota.

In Australia, the Prius hybrid was recalled in early February, affecting about 2300 cars, and these – according to Toyota sales and marketing boss David Buttner – required a software upgrade involving either a quick visit by owners to a dealer or a fast home visit.

In fact, Toyota claims the Prius recall in Australia has had a positive outcome for owners, demonstrating “the epitome of customer service” since many appreciated the personalised contact and service that the company has elected to undertake in order to carry out the inconsistent brake-pedal feel issue that has been at the centre of the popular hybrid’s recall.

"Dealer principals rang each customer personally and they were invited to bring the car in or have the recall work done at their home or office. We then rang every customer after the work was carried out," Mr Buttner said.

He went on to explain that, since 2000, from 21 million Toyota and related (Lexus and Scion) vehicles that have been sold in North America, only a fraction have had issues and/or problems registered.

"In that time, US authorities have received about 3300 complaints of unintended acceleration. That represents 0.015 per cent of customers who have complained or, looked at another way, 99.985 per cent didn't report such a problem," Mr Buttner said.

He added that “Toyota vehicles showed fewer problems than average” in the 2010 JD Power and Associates three-year ownership survey in the US, ahead of Mazda and Honda.

Mr Buttner also explained that Toyota’s investigating engineers have not duplicated the electronic throttle control system issue that has been the subject of unintended acceleration claims even under extreme conditions. Approximately 40 million vehicles have bene fitted with ETCS to date.

“(As a result of the recalls) cars will become much safer in the future across all brands,” Mr Buttner said, pointing as an example to the ‘brake override’ function (already fitted to the new Hybrid Camry and latest Prius) that cuts the accelerator functionality if the brake pedal is pressed at the same time.

It will be included in every model year 2011 Toyota, including all Australian-built cars.

“But we are not diminishing Toyota’s responsibility,” Mr Buttner conceded, on the day Toyota announced an improved engineering quality improvement division, as well as a new special committee for global quality.

These are designed to ensure that the problems and issues that have led to the massive recall situation and subsequent quality and safety concerns never happens again.

“If there is an issue than we confront it head-on,” Mr Buttner said, “...with shorter reaction times so it never happens again.

“Regardless of your processes there is always a better way... we question, challenge everything that we do (but) now with a much heightened level of awareness.

“Toyota will now try harder.”

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Toyota to test SUVs for safety

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257706000FDE3D

Let's hope they have a look at the Kluger as well. Wheels had a whale of a time in one during a Car Of the Year some time ago.

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/r...ontrol-system/

Toyota reportedly testing all of its SUV's stability control systems

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Apr 15th 2010 at 4:01PM

Further proof that Toyota is taking Consumer Reports' recent test and subsequent Do Not Buy rating of its Lexus GX 460 sport utility vehicle seriously is a report from AutoWeek that the Japanese giant is testing all of the stability control systems used on every single one of its SUV models.

Toyota took the decisive action of issuing a stop sale on its new Lexus GX 460 here in the United States (also in the Middle East and Russia) after CR found that it was possible to coax the big 'ute into a massive sideways slide when the throttle is lifted mid-corner, seemingly defeating the standard stability control in the process. Under certain situations, the tall, heavy vehicle could potentially roll over.

According to Toyota, none of the 5,400 or so owners here in the States have reported any issues with their GX 460's handling characteristics, but that doesn't mean the issue isn't serious. Click here to read our own explanation as to what might be prompting the errant handling woes and expect to hear plenty more on these SUV handling issues in the coming weeks and months.

[vztrt]

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...0416-sjqs.html

Toyota to review 4WD, SUV safety
STEPHEN OTTLEY
April 16, 2010

Toyota has announced a major review of its stability control systems in all its four-wheel-drives and SUVs in response to an embarrassing test that resulted in the Prado-based US-market Lexus GX460 being rated unsafe.

Having already stopped sales of the luxury off-roader in the United States, the company has now extended that decision to the car's other markets, Russia and the Middle East. The GX460 is based on Australia's best selling 4WD, the Toyota Prado, albeit with a different engine and styling tweaks.

In a clear sign of the Japanese brand's caution - it has already recalled more than eight million vehicles this year - Toyota will now test all its SUV and 4WD models over similar concerns.

American publication Consumer Reports labelled the GX460 a "safety risk" after exposing a flaw with the car's stability control system during an emergency-handling test. The car slid sideways in an emergency cornering manoeuvre, leaving it vulnerable to a rollover if it hit a gutter or other object.

"The foremost reason for doing the extra tests is to put customers' minds at ease," said Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi.

It is understood that the entire line-up of off-roaders sold by Toyota in the United States will be evaluated including the RAV4, Highlander (known as Kluger in Australia), Prado and LandCruiser, which are all available locally.

Toyota Australia was unavailable for comment so it is unclear what, if any, impact these tests will have on the models sold in Australia.

Questions have already been raised about the stability control systems of two Toyota SUVs on sale locally, the LandCruiser and the Kluger. During Drive's Car of the Year testing judges noted the LandCruiser's stability control system intervened too late.

Specialist motoring magazine Wheels infamously rolled a Kluger during a test in 2007.

Stability control uses sensors to detect a potential loss of control in a car and applies brakes to individual wheels to bring the car back under control.

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/17/r...ping-to-isola/

Report: Toyota confirms Lexus GX handling issue, hoping to isolate issue soon

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Apr 17th 2010 at 7:03PM

Toyota engineers in Japan have apparently replicated the lift-throttle oversteer problem recently found by Consumer Reports on the new 2010 Lexus GX460 and are working on a fix. Toyota spokesman Bill Kwong has confirmed the existence of the handling problem to The New York Times.

According to the NYT, as soon as CR discovered the problem, they contacted Toyota and worked with the automaker to make sure it understood the organization's test conditions. The engineers in Japan are currently trying to understand the root cause and come up with a robust solution.

For now, Toyota has stopped selling the GX globally until a corrective action is identified, and owners in the field can get loaner vehicles from their dealers until their SUVs are repaired. The solution could end up being either hardware changes or software updates to the stability control, or a combination thereof. For more on the testing and what might be causing the oversteer problem, check out our in-depth analysis.

[Source: The New York Times]

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/18/t...-federal-fine/

Toyota reportedly set to pay $16.4M federal fine

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Apr 18th 2010 at 9:36PM

According to a report by Automotive News, Toyota is ready to pay the $16.4 million fine levied against the company by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration... on one condition: the company wouldn't be required to admit wrongdoing. If the NHTSA goes for that, apparently it can stuff its coffers; if not, the report suggests there's a chance Toyota could appeal the fine on the day it's due, Monday, April 19.

Paying a fine without admitting wrongdoing is a standard practice, and we can understand Toyota holding out for that caveat if that's what's really happening. More perplexing is that the same report states that Toyota agreed to the fine in order to help it move on and rebuild its brand. If it can't get what it wants and it appeals, and the NHTSA digs in for a fight – and remember, there's a potential second fine on the horizon – we're not sure how much the fighting-for-our-corporate-rights approach would help.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub Req]

[vztrt]

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-n...0419-sopw.html

Toyota agrees to pay US$16.4 million fine: US official
CHARLOTTE RAAB
April 19, 2010 - 4:09PM

Japanese auto giant Toyota was expected to sign legal documents Monday, agreeing to pay the US government a record fine of nearly 16.4 million US dollars for concealing gas pedal defects.

"By paying the full civil penalty Toyota is accepting responsibility for hiding the safety defect ... in violation of the law," a senior US government official told AFP late Sunday.

A Toyota spokesman declined to comment. But a well-informed source told AFP the automaker was expected to sign the necessary legal documents early Monday.

"They've agreed to pay the maximum fine in record time, the most we can get," the source said. "They have 30 days to pay."

Earlier this month, the US Department of Transportation said it was seeking "the maximum civil penalty of 16.375 million US dollars against Toyota" after it failed to report its safety defects in a timely manner.

Toyota had failed to report "the dangerous 'sticky pedal' defect for at least four months, despite knowing of the potential risk to consumers," said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the department's watchdog.

It is the largest civil fine against an automaker ever sought by the NHTSA.

Toyota has recalled around 2.3 million cars in the United States for the pedal defect.

Worldwide it has recalled more than eight million cars over several problems, including the sticking accelerator pedal which caused cars to speed out of control.

Toyota had until Monday to agree to pay the fine, or contest it. If the two parties had not agreed a settlement, the matter could have gone to court.

The sudden acceleration problem allegedly caused by the gas pedal defects has been blamed for more than 50 deaths in the United States, and Toyota faces a slew of legal challenges in US courts.

The automaker has been hit with at least 97 lawsuits seeking damages for injury or death linked to sudden acceleration and 138 class action lawsuits from customers suing to recoup losses in the resale value of Toyota vehicles.

A San Diego court recently heard arguments from two dozen attorneys across the United States who want to consolidate the lawsuits into one multibillion-dollar case in a single jurisdiction.

In March, the US government announced a series of investigations into the causes of "unintended acceleration" in Toyota and other brands of cars, calling in NASA engineers to help.

The Department of Transportation plans to buy cars that are suspected of unintended acceleration and subject them to a battery of tests.

The NHTSA is itself under fire for allegedly failing to adequately review consumer complaints about Toyota and other cars, but it is the beleaguered Japanese carmaker that remains in the spotlight for now.

Toyota overtook General Motors in 2008 as the world's top automaker. But the safety issues that have recently bedeviled it have raised questions about whether it sacrificed its legendary quality to become number one.

Toyota executives were hauled over the coals in the US Congress earlier this year and the company's previously stellar reputation for safety was left in tatters.

The latest blow to the company's reputation came just last week.

Toyota suspended production and global sales of the Lexus GX 460 sport utility vehicle after US magazine Consumer Reports gave the SUV a rare "Don't Buy: Safety Risk" rating.

When pushed to its limits, the rear of the GX "slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control," the magazine said.

The US government also issued an advisory asking motorists to use caution when driving the vehicle.

Also, last week, the embattled automaker decided to recall 870,000 Sienna minivans in the United States and Canada because of corrosion problems.

The recall affects 1998 through 2010 Sienna minivans that Toyota said could experience corrosion in the spare tire carrier cable if they have been operated in cold climates with high road salt use.

© 2010 AFP

[vztrt]

Toyota recalls approach 10 million vehicles

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25770B0013A84C

Lexus GX460 and Toyota Sienna recalled as Toyota agrees to pay $18 million US fine

20 April 2010

By MARTON PETTENDY

TOYOTA Motor Corporation (TMC) has recalled about 9400 examples of its 2010 model-year Lexus GX460 in North America on Monday (April 19) – the same day it announced it will pay a $16.4 million ($A17.7m) fine for its belated recall to fix sticky throttles in millions of vehicles globally.

Combined with the voluntary safety recall on Friday (April 16) of more than 600,000 first and second-generation Sienna 2WD people-movers in the US and a further 270,000 Siennas in Canada, the Lexus recall brings the total number of Toyota vehicles recalled since late last year to about 9.3 million.

The recall of certain MY1998-2010 versions of the Sienna MPV, which isn’t sold in Australia, relates to the potential for spare wheel carrier cables to corrode and fail in cold climate areas with high road salt.

“In the worst case, the carrier cable may fail and the spare tyre could become separated from the vehicle, a road hazard for following vehicles that increases the likelihood of a crash,” said Toyota Motor Sales USA, which advised customers to bring their vehicle to a dealership for a preliminary inspection while it works on a fix for the problem.

This week’s recall of the 2010 Lexus GX460, which is closely related to Australia’s top-selling SUV, the Toyota Prado, follows a “do not buy” notice announced for the model last week by influential US website Consumer Reports, which said the GX failed its throttle lift-off test because its electronic stability control system did not intervene early enough.

Acting with hitherto unseen vigour, Toyota immediately suspended sales and then production of the luxury SUV in Japan, before commencing “vigorous testing to identify and correct the issue”.

Acting with new-found vigour, the world’s biggest car-maker has now recalled the GX460 and says it will continue to provide a courtesy vehicle to customers of all affected vehicles until the recall work has been completed.

“Today, I’m happy to announce that we have developed a remedy that will be quickly implemented to help address customer concerns,” said Lexus Group vice-president and general manager Mark Templin.

“We will be voluntarily recalling all 2010 GX 460s that have been sold in order to update the Vehicle Stability Control system. We will begin implementing this program in the next two weeks and our dealers will be reaching out to customers shortly to set up appointments to make this modification.”

In the wake of the Consumer Reports finding, Toyota also said it would test the effectiveness of the ESC systems in all of its SUVs globally, including models sold in Australia such as the LandCruiser, Prado, Kluger and RAV4.

Toyota Australia spokesman Mike Breen told GoAuto last week the issue with the GX, which unlike the Prado employs a V8 engine, was specific to the US market, despite the fact it is built on the same platform in the same factory as Australia’s Prado.

“We obviously don’t sell that model here, so it doesn’t affect us,” Mr Breen said.

“From what I understand, the article went to great lengths to explain that the (Toyota) 4Runner that they sell in the United States with the V6 engine is based on the Prado platform as well and there are no issues with the V6 4Runner there, so there are no issues with the Prado here.”

Separately on Friday, Toyota also recalled 4774 “tray-type” floor mats in Canada on some 2007-10 Tundra pick-ups and 2008-10 Highlander SUVs – sold here as the Kluger.

Lexus said all of its US dealers would receive the new ESC calibration by the end of April and, from May, will encourage all owners to bring their vehicles in at their earliest convenience for the no-cost software update, which it said would take about an hour.

“From the moment we heard about this issue, Lexus and our dealers acted quickly to resolve the situation,” said Mr Templin.

“Our dealers will now personally reach out to customers to set up appointments to make this modification. Lexus has always been about providing exemplary customer satisfaction and this will be another opportunity to demonstrate that.”

On the same day, TMC announced it has agreed to settle the civil penalty demanded in the April 5 letter from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) relating to the company’s unprecedented sticky-throttle recall.

“We agreed to this settlement in order to avoid a protracted dispute and possible litigation, as well as to allow us to move forward fully-focused on the steps to strengthen our quality assurance operations,” said TMC in a statement.

“This will allow us to focus on delivering safe, reliable, high quality vehicles for our customers and responding to consumer feedback with honesty and integrity. These have been core Toyota values for 70 years, and we pledge to make an even greater effort to adhere to this philosophy now and in the future.

“We also welcome a new, more transparent chapter in our relationship with NHTSA, consistent with our commitments to Congress and the American people.”

However, while it has agreed to pay the unprecedented $17.7 million penalty handed down by the NHTSA, Toyota denies accusations by the peak US transport safety body that it knowingly concealed safety defects.

“We regret that NHTSA tentatively concluded that they should seek a civil penalty,” it said. “Toyota denies NHTSA’s allegation that it violated the Safety Act or its implementing regulations. “We believe we made a good faith effort to investigate this condition and develop an appropriate counter-measure. We have acknowledged that we could have done a better job of sharing relevant information within our global operations and outside the company, but we did not try to hide a defect to avoid dealing with a safety problem.”

Meantime, House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Henry Waxman has asked Toyota for unintended acceleration documents to be tabled in a hearing his panel will hold on potential electronic causes on May 6.

Mr Waxman has asked Toyota US sales chief Jim Lentz to testify at next month’s hearing, which follows House and Senate committee inquests in February and March.

A letter from Mr Waxman to Mr Lentz on Friday said the federal committee wants to know more about Toyota's work with engineering and research firm Exponent Inc, which helped Toyota repudiate the assertions of a Southern Illinois University professor, David Gilbert, about flaws in its electronic controls at a committee hearing on February 23 and in a subsequent ABC News broadcast.

[vztrt]

Toyota widens stability control recall for SUVs

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577140004498C

Recall for Toyota SUVs now includes Sequoia and Prado overseas, but not in Australia

29 April 2010

By TERRY MARTIN

TOYOTA has recalled about 50,000 Sequoia SUVs in the US and 7500 LandCruiser Prado SUVs throughout Europe to adjust their electronic stability control (ESC) systems as the company attempts to answer every question over SUV safety in the wake of the global Lexus GX460 recall issued earlier this month.

The safety recall for the new-generation 150-series Prado has not extended to Australia, or other right-hand drive markets, despite it having broadened from an international recall on the Prado-based V8-powered GX460 to all Prado models built in left-hand drive.

According to Toyota, right-hand drive models have a different weight distribution and do not have the same issue with performance of the ESC under certain conditions.

The company also says it has investigated and confirmed the results for all other SUVs, including the RAV4, “and found no problems” with ESC calibration.

The latest SUV recalls were issued after an influential US-based consumer magazine branded the GX460 a “safety risk” that could be involved in a rollover crash because the ESC system did not intervene early enough.

As GoAuto has reported, Consumer Reports magazine handed down a “don’t buy” verdict for the GX460 after experiencing a problem during its emergency handling tests. It said that when pushed to its limits, the rear of the GX “slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control”.

Toyota engineers subsequently replicated the result, which prompted the company to issue a recall notice for about 9500 vehicles in the US and abroad.

With the Sequoia SUV, Toyota will adjust the VDC (vehicle stability control) system in the opposite direction, responding to customer complaints – dating as far back as 2003 – that it is too aggressive and kicks in too early.

The company said it had fixed the problem for those customers who had complained over the past seven years, but has waited until now to issue a recall.

The Sequoia SUV is built at Toyota’s Princeton plant in Indiana, alongside the Highlander SUV (sold as the Kluger in Australia, but built in Japan for our market) and the Sienna people-mover. These vehicles are unaffected by the recall.

“In vehicles without the upgrade, the VSC system could, in limited situations, activate at low speed – approximately 9mph (14km/h) – 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 in a statement. “There have been no reported injuries or accidents as a result of this condition.

“Toyota instituted a running production change during the 2003 model year and published a Technical Service Bulletin to address this issue when it was first identified in fall (autumn) 2003. Since that time, Toyota has been responding to individual owner concerns by replacing the Skid Control Engine Control Unit in Sequoias impacted by this condition.

“Of the approximately 50,000 vehicles included in this recall, approximately half have already been serviced under warranty.”

In announcing the Sequoia recall this week, Toyota’s chief quality officer for North America, Steve St Angelo, said: “Toyota is committed to investigating customer complaints more aggressively and to responding quickly to issues we identify in our vehicles. As a result, we are voluntarily launching this recall to ensure that as many 2003 Sequoias as possible are serviced to the full satisfaction of our customers.”

Toyota has recalled more than eight million vehicles worldwide in the past year for defects that might cause unintended acceleration in its cars and light commercial vehicles. It has also recalled its Prius hybrid in Australia and overseas to upgrade the software of its anti-lock braking system.

While the latest recalls are continuing to damage Toyota’s reputation, and this week come as the annual BrandZ Top 100 survey of the world’s top automotive brands has Toyota losing top spot to BMW, the Japanese auto giant has also reported significant production and sales increases.

Toyota and Lexus sales increased in Japan for the eighth consecutive month in March, helped by the top-selling Prius and a 200 per cent rise in the sale of Lexus models (to 4918 units), while exports increased for the third month in a row.

In Japan, Toyota sold 209,510 vehicles last month (including Lexus but not Daihatsu and Hino), which was up 58.4 per cent on March 2009. It exported 161,831 vehicles, which was a 102.7 per cent rise on the same month last year, while overseas production reached 426,016 (up 83.8 per cent).

Worldwide production for the month was up 96.7 per cent to 773,297 units.

For the first quarter in this calendar year, Toyota’s sales were up 49.8 per cent to 480,157 units, while exports climbed 75.5 per cent to 1,146,300.

Overseas production was up 75.5 per cent to 1,146,300 units, with worldwide production climbing a similar amount – 77.9 per cent for the quarter, to 2,072,402.

Interestingly, for its financial year ending March 31, 2010, Toyota produced 7,278,659 vehicles worldwide (up 2.5 per cent) but, at last count, has recalled more than eight million.

[Ghiadude]

The company said it had fixed the problem for those customers who had complained over the past seven years, but has waited until now to issue a recall.

This is just getting worse. They knew about it for seven years and only fixed those cars whose owners had complained. WTF? The majority of people wouldnt know what the effect of this was untill it was too late.

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/05/t...wn-4-6m-to-go/

Toyota Recalls: 3.2M down, 4.6M to go!

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on May 5th 2010 at 4:28PM

Somehow, we're guessing that the "any publicity is good publicity" cliche isn't ringing particularly true with Toyota these days. That said, we do have to give some props to the automaker for being open about the current state of its recent recall woes. According to Toyota, roughly 3.2 million of its many recall notices have been fulfilled.

Yes, that number sounds like a lot. Bear in mind, though, that Toyota isn't even halfway finished with its recalls. In fact, there are about 4.6 million more of the notices out there that have yet to be fulfilled. And the actual breakdown of which recalls have been completed is also rather interesting.

Says Toyota, "Approximately 70 percent of the sticking pedal modifications have been completed on the 2.3 million vehicles that have been recalled... and more than 75 percent of the ABS program updates have been performed on the 147,500 Prius and Lexus models that were recalled."

Not bad, but there's still some worrying data. "Approximately 27 percent of the floor mat entrapment modifications have been completed on the 5.4 million vehicles that were recalled for this issue," continues Toyota.

We have to wonder if people aren't taking the floor mat entrapment issue seriously, or if perhaps the general populace is content just to chuck their mats into the trash bin in lieu of a seemingly odd tie wrap resolution. In any case, check out all the details in the press release after the break.

[Source: Toyota]

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/09/a...e-for-toyotas/

Analysis: Company offers aftermarket brake override for Toyotas

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on May 9th 2010 at 10:05AM



With all the news reports about issues with unintended acceleration in Toyotas in recent months, it was only a matter of time before an aftermarket company stepped up with a purported solution. Santa Barbara-based Solutions Group Inc. is now marketing a device called the Decelerator, which they claim provides a brake override to prevent the car from taking off on the driver.

We spoke with Sean O'Neil, the CEO of the Solutions Group, to learn more about the Decelerator. The device is another box of electronics that can intercept and modify signals to the engine throttle body from the electronic control unit (ECU). Installation is straightforward. The wiring harness from the ECU to the throttle body is unplugged and connected to device, which is then plugged into the ECU. A second connector goes to the brake pedal switch. The brake pedal input provides the 5 volts needed to power the Decelerator.

Inside the Decelerator is a micro-controller and some firmware that sits idle until the brake pedal is pressed. While the brake is off, there's no power and the pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal to the throttle body is simply passed through unmodified. Read on to find out what happens after the brake is applied.

[Source: Solutions Group Inc]


As soon the driver applies the brake, the device boots up and starts comparing the throttle body control signal to the brake pedal. According to O'Neil, the patented algorithm looks for a sustained or increasing throttle control signal while the brake is applied. If it sees such a condition, the micro-controller modifies the PWM signal to start ramping down the throttle, gradually slowing the vehicle. As soon as the driver releases the brake the signal returns to normal. So far, so good.

Here's where things start to get a bit hairy. According to O'Neil, the Decelerator does not void the factory warranty and he cites the Magnuson-Moss Warranty - Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975. That law says that a warranty cannot be voided unless the original manufacturer (in this case Toyota) can prove that the modification caused a flaw. Based on O'Neil's description of the functionality, it would certainly seem that using the decelerator shouldn't cause a problem that would void the warranty.

Recall, however, that the auto industry is the most regulated in the world - covering everything from safety to emissions. O'Neil explains that the Decelerator has been through a thorough battery of both electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electrostatic discharge (ESD) tests. The device is claimed to comply with all relevant Federal Communications Commission and European Union regulations. O'Neil also tells Autoblog that the device has been tested on at least six different Toyota models and found to work.

Since the Decelerator can modify the throttle control signals, there's a likelihood that it may well have some measurable impact on emissions, which apparently has not been tested. This could potentially void the emissions warranty on the vehicle. We also don't know the extent to which the firmware of the device has been evaluated and demonstrated to be robust. The EMI and ESD tests are an important part of validating vehicle electronics but any control software inside also needs to be validated. If the controls affect emissions the device will require some degree of self-diagnostics and reporting capability.

We've contacted Toyota for a comment on this device and the claims that it does not void the warranty. The automaker is still investigating the Decelerator and has yet to respond to Autoblog.

We can't tell you whether you should install this $199 device on your Toyota or Lexus. Only you can decide for certain. Keep in mind, however, that the number of verified cases of unintended acceleration on Toyotas is somewhere in the dozens or, at worst, low hundreds. The number of news reports exceed actual cases by several orders of magnitude. That's out of the millions of cars and trucks on the road. There might well be a problem that has not yet been identified with these vehicles. Ultimately, throwing another unknown (in the form of the Decelerator) into the electronic soup that is a modern vehicle may not be the wisest course of action.

[JimNiki]

Originally Posted by Chilliman

Expect the mother-of-all lawsuits later this year. People have died from this problem.

People have died ?!?!
That's it, you've decided for me ...
I was considering one but now I wouldn't be seen "dead" in one!

I'm not allowed to bag Toyota ...else I'm a potty mouth!

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/11/l...ihood-of-more/

LaHood visits Toyota in Japan, won't discuss likelihood of more fines

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on May 11th 2010 at 6:00PM

Akio Toyoda, still working the shovel to extricate Toyota from the hole it's dug, invited U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for a factory visit. When he returned, LaHood said that the Toyota CEO didn't realize how much damage the company's reputation was taking until Toyoda actually came to America and saw for himself.

On the matter of further fines, LaHood would only say that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has yet to finish sifting through 500,000 documents concerning the unintended acceleration recall. Until that's done, in "a couple months," he won't know if more fines should be recommended.

Toyota paid a $16.4 million fine last month and LaHood said that meant the company accepted responsibility. Toyota quickly replied that wasn't the case; rather, it paid the fine to put the issue to bed, which was the company's position from the beginning. Now, while the NHTSA keeps its head down reading memos and emails, Toyota has a couple of months to get consumers' attentions again and begin to deal with the nearly 200 lawsuits being brought against it.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub Req'd]

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/16/r...essional-test/

Report: Toyota had 'attack plan' to discredit congressional testimony witnesses

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on May 16th 2010 at 8:05PM

Hypocrisy is again the order of the day as Congress continues to look into the actions of Toyota following a report earlier this year claiming that a fault had been found that could trigger unintended acceleration. Using polling data to help craft a message to manipulate public opinion is standard political procedure, so it should come as no surprise to anyone in on Capitol Hill that Toyota would consider doing the same thing.

When Southern Illinois University professor David Gilbert purported to demonstrate how unintended acceleration could happen in Toyotas, he and Sean Kane went before Congress to testify about their findings. Toyota investigated Gilbert's test procedure and then later proceeded to debunk it. However, it also hired pollster Joel Benenson to gather data that could potentially be used to discredit Kane and Gilbert, possibly via an ad campaign.

No such campaign has been initiated to date, but it certainly seems disingenuous on the part of anyone in Congress to criticize Toyota for doing what it can to defend its reputation. If Gilbert and Kane had motives that went beyond simply finding the truth behind what was happening with these vehicles, then Toyota surely had a right to expose them. Likewise, if Toyota is hiding information, Gilbert, Congress, or anyone else has the same right to seek and reveal the truth.

[Source: The Washington Post]

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/67765/ak...s-over-toyota/

Akio Toyoda airs concerns over Toyota
By Chris Anderson-Peters | May 17th, 2010

Toyota President Akio Toyoda believes winning over new customers will be a challenge following the global financial crisis. According to the grandson of the founder the problems with his company started back in 2003 amid a massive global expansion.

In an interview with Autonews Mr Toyoda said the increased production and massive growth in sales outgrew his company’s human resources which meant “we maybe couldn’t apply the Toyota Way as thoroughly as we should have.”

Today, the world’s largest automaker is back in the black. Nonetheless it is still besieged by about 300 state and federal U.S. lawsuits, investigations by U.S. regulators and a bruised reputation. US sales fell in early 2010 due to a recall relating to acceleration issues.

In order to regain customer trust and win back market share, the Big T has offered very tempting incentives in the US (which run until June 1). This has seen sales for the brand soar 26 per cent in April.

“We wanted to make sure that February was the bottom; that’s why we did the ambitious incentives,” Toyoda told Autonews.

Toyoda is feeling increasing pressure in the US to match rivals GM and Ford, saying the incentives to win back customers was necessary in order to remain relevant.

This was highlighted in a Customer Reports April Survey where Honda and Ford had toppled Toyota as the US champion of customer loyalty.

When Toyoda took the reins in June last year, the company was in the red with production base ballooning. Over the short period in charge Mr Toyoda seems to have turned the company’s fortunes around with Toyota now on the road to recovery.

The negative media attention towards Toyota in the U.S. has not affected sales in Australia with Toyota Australia continuing to lead the market ahead of Ford and Holden.

Source: Automotive News

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/18/d...-u-s-treasury/

Done Deal: Toyota wires $16M fine payment to U.S. Treasury

by Zach Bowman (RSS feed) on May 18th 2010 at 5:02PM

Toyota has officially handed over every last cent of its $16.4 million fine for not notifying the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration of potential defects in a timely manner. That figure marks the largest fine possible under the law, though by paying it, the Japanese automaker has somehow managed to skip out on admitting any wrong doing. We're still having a hard time wrapping our fragile journo minds around that one.

NHTSA came down hard on Toyota for bumbling the recall of accelerator pedals that wouldn't spring back once depressed. Meanwhile, the automaker claims it did everything it was supposed to in handling the problem and notifying the government of the issue. Even so, Toyota has declined to fight the "civil penalty" or appeal the government's decision. The cash will be put directly into the U.S. Treasury.

Toyota is also under investigation for all-weather floor mats that could have contributed to the rash or unintended acceleration claims that cropped up in recent months as well as steering linkage issues in older T100 pickups and 4Runner models. The NHTSA has yet to rule on either of those issues.

[Source: Reuters]

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/69014/to...for-89-deaths/

Toyota Responsible for 89 Deaths?
By Garreth Miers | May 27th, 2010

The US National Highway Traffic Administration recently released a report potentially linking 89 deaths to Toyota Cars.

The investigation found 71 fatal collisions since 2000 could be linked to uncontrolled acceleration in Toyota vehicles, a massive claim by the US authority.

These reports have also found a record 6,200 complaints regarding unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles, at least a 100 of which were made by owners of previously recalled and repaired cars.

According to Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. President James Lentz the company is yet to find any electrical faults having examined more than 2,000 problem vehicles.

Nonetheless in a precautionary measure Toyota is now fitting a new advanced brake over-ride system to all new models. This new safety system will allow the vehicle to slow down if both brake and accelerator pedals are pressed at once. The system will be fitted to all 2011 models as well as seven current models.

Interestingly there has been a sharp incline in the number of complaints made in the last month pertaining to this defect. With more than 2,600 new complaints surfacing, one has to wonder if they are all really genuine?

Take a look at the videos below to see the classic case involving James Sikes in his ‘Runaway Prius’. It’s partially Mr Sikes case that may now be casting doubt over other claims made by Toyota owners.

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/69310/us...ion-documents/

US judge gives Toyota 60 days to produce unintended acceleration documents
By Tim Beissmann | May 31st, 2010



Toyota has been given 60 days to produce all of the internal documents relating to the US federal class-action lawsuit concerning its unintended acceleration issues that have come to light over the past nine months.

US District Judge, James Selna, is currently overseeing around 230 consolidated federal lawsuits filed by drivers claiming injury, death and financial loss as a result of the acceleration issue that plagued more than eight million vehicles worldwide.

Many of those claim that an electrical fault had a role to play in instances of unintended acceleration. This is so far yet to be proven and has been denied completely and passionately by Toyota.

The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) last week said that unintended acceleration of Toyota vehicles could have been responsible for as many as 89 deaths in the US alone.

The Japanese manufacturing giant, which made its name for producing safe and reliable cars, is now facing civil liability possibly in excess of $US10 billion.

Judge Selna ordered Toyota to supply the court with all English documents within 30 days and all Japanese documents within 60 days, aiming to avoid the reality of many consolidated cases that have been known to drag on for years. He has been open in his enthusiasm to get the trial underway.

Privileged papers (those containing communication between Toyota and its lawyers) are exempt from the judge’s orders.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys originally requested access to around 125,000 pages that have already been reviewed by regulators and Congress but remained largely confidential, but Toyota lawyers said such a request was both premature and in violation of pre-trial information sharing rules.

The hearing is set to continue on June 23.

Toyota confirmed that it is facing close to 100 additional state lawsuits with around 40 of those last week ordered to be consolidated.

(with Reuters)

[Bossxr8]

Some of the documents have probably already seen the shredder.

How do the courts know that the company involved will actually show all the files they have on the problem and not dispose of the damning ones?

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/71918/to...s-250h-models/

Toyota to recall 17,000 Lexus HS 250h models
By Brett Davis | June 28th, 2010



Again, it seems, Toyota is facing production issues with signals of another recall. This time with its luxury car arm, Lexus. The problem is associated to a fuel leak issue which came about during recent crash testing.

The procedures conducted were rear-end hits which were in close proximity to the fuel tank, causing a leak to occur. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the leak exceeded the maximum allowable in the rear-end crash test, and could pose a threat as a potential fire hazard in real world situations.

Toyota says it had no troubles during independent testing and is yet to identify a solution to the problem. The company now has plans to issue a recall for around 17,000 of the 2010-specific HS 250h models affected with the compliance issue. Toyota/Lexus has also halted all sales of the 2010 HS 250h until further notice.

Although the models aren’t available in Australia, it’s a shame to see Toyota still dealing with issues after settling over 10 million Prius and Corolla accelerator and brake pedal recalls.

[vztrt]

These Recalls just keep on coming!

Toyota set to recall 270,000 Lexus cars

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257754000BEA89

Toyota to recall Lexus models worldwide to fix engine valve spring problem
2 July 2010
By TERRY MARTIN
TOYOTA’S premium division Lexus has become embroiled in another global quality problem, with the Japanese auto giant set to recall an estimated 270,000 vehicles – including around 1100 in Australia – to correct an engine fault that could cause the luxury cars to stall unexpectedly.

A Toyota Australia spokesman told GoAuto today that Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan is planning to lodge a recall notice with the Japanese government on Monday, which would affect four models across its LS limousine and GS executive line sold in Australia: the flagship $243,900 LS600hL hybrid, the LS460, GS460 and GS450h hybrid.

The company revealed earlier this week that faulty valve springs have been discovered in certain V6 (3.5-litre) and V8 (4.6 and 5.0-litre) engines used in at least six models worldwide.

Other affected models include the IS350, which is due for release in Australia in the final quarter, and the GS350, which is not sold here.

Toyota has admitted that foreign material may have contaminated the valve springs of the engines in question during the manufacturing process, resulting in potential breakage.

“There is a small possibility that abnormal engine noise or unstable idling may occur, and what we understand is that in very rare instances there is a chance that the engine may stop while driving,” the spokesman told GoAuto.

“There have been no reports of engines stopping in Australia.

“We are now aware that Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan are planning to issue a notice to the Japanese government for a recall, and they are expected to do this on Monday.

“We are still awaiting final confirmation from Toyota in Japan as to what activities will occur in Australia.”

The engine problem could require long durations at the dealer for repair or replacement, potentially creating havoc for car owners and dealers alike, and is bound to be an extremely expensive exercise for the company.

Of the circa-270,000 vehicles affected worldwide – which represents around 85 per cent of Toyota’s total 2009 Lexus production – around 137,000 are in the US. The company built just over 255,000 cars in Japan last year, and around 64,000 in North America.

General manager of the US Lexus division, Mark Templin, said: “In the meantime, we sincerely apologise to our customers for any inconvenience and request that they contact their nearest Lexus dealer if they believe there is a problem with their vehicle.”

Lexus Australia has not contacted customers or issued a similar statement, preferring to wait until it receives specific advice from head office.

“Should any action be required, as usual we will personally contact the customers in line with the Lexus customer philosophy,” the spokesman said, adding that the company was working to ensure its brand image remained strong in light of this, and other, recalls.

“We have a major focus that’s both in Toyota Japan and also in Australia to continue to challenge ourselves to make sure that we deliver the highest quality cars that we can to our customers.”

Lexus has been increasingly caught up in Toyota’s ongoing global recall and quality crisis, which has affected around 10 million vehicles across all brands combined since last year.

The valve spring problem comes a week after Toyota issued a recall of up to 17,000 2010 model year Lexus HS250h vehicles in the US after tests showed that fuel could spill in a rear-end crash.

The LS limousine was also subject to a global recall in May, when it was found that around 11,500 LS460 and LS600h vehicles – including 14 in Australia – could experience a problem with their variable gear ratio steering system in which the steering wheel was positioned off-centre when the wheels were in fact straight.

Earlier this year, Lexus recalled more than 214,000 vehicles in the US because of potential fuel hose leaks caused by ethanol fuels, while around 9500 examples of the LandCruiser Prado-based GX460 were also recalled to adjust their electronic stability control system after a US magazine experienced problems with the vehicle’s handling.

None of these involved vehicles sold in Australia, and a subsequent global recall of almost 60,000 SUVs that have the same underpinnings as the GX460 also did not extend to Australia.

Toyota Australia has, however, issued a recall notice this week for the LandCruiser 200 Series for a problem that could prevent the front seatbelt buckles from engaging.

According to a notice filed with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, “there is a possibility that the front seatbelt buckles may have been damaged during manufacture”.

Toyota Australia has confirmed details of the recall, which affects 18 diesel-powered GXL LandCruiser vehicles built from May 6-25, 2010, with VIN numbers VDJ200JTMHV09J #05011921 to #05012235.

Although the involved vehicles are within the above VIN ranges, not all vehicles in these ranges were sold in Australia.

All owners of affected vehicles will be contacted to arrange for the front seatbelt buckles to be replaced at their nearest dealer.

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/72677/le...stralian-cars/

Lexus to recall 270,000 cars worldwide
By Brett Davis | July 2nd, 2010

About 90,000 vehicles in Japan and 180,000 vehicles elsewhere could be affected by another recall Toyota and Lexus decision-makers are contemplating.

The latest issue affects Australian-sold LS460, LS600hL, GS460 and GS450h models. The issue also affects – on an international scale – the LS600h, the LS600hL, the GS350, the GS450h, the GS460 and the IS350 and Toyota’s Crown.

Japanese media reports say the issue is related to an engine fault, primarily with 4.6-litre-based cars. The problem causes the engine to stall and possibly not restart. Symptoms that indicate an infected vehicle include, rough idling and unusual sounds from the engine.

Although an official recall is yet to be issued, a spokesman from Lexus headquarters in Japan has said a final decision hadn’t been made just yet but the company has recognised the issue and says the problem will have to be addressed soon.

Although the previous Toyota recalls that affected up to 10 million cars worldwide did cause a major safety concern, there hasn’t been any reports of accidents related to the latest problem.

According to Reuters, the recall could cost Toyota and Lexus $228 million.

[vztrt]

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...0702-zr58.html

Lexus flagships could face recall STEVE COLQUHOUN
July 2, 2010 - 7:54AM

Some of the most expensive Lexus luxury cars on the market - including the GS450h hybrid - could be recalled following an investigation into stalling engines

Toyota is investigating an engine fault reportedly affecting the range-topping Lexus luxury sedans that could cause cars to stall unexpectedly.

A Toyota Australia spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that the Japanese car giant was looking into a fault regarding valve springs in some Lexus models fitted with V6 and V8 engines.

Under scrutiny are eight models, including four sold in Australia - the mid-size GS450 and GS450h hybrid, and the large LS460 and LS600hL hybrid. The latter is the flagship of the Lexus range and retails in Australia for $243,900.

Up to 1100 of the cars have been sold in Australia and may potentially be affected. No accidents have so far been reported in connection with the issue.

The fault may force the Japanese car giant into the latest in a series of embarrassing recalls. Up to 10 million cars worldwide have been affected by issues including sticking accelerator pedals and braking problems.

The company received a $A17.7 million fine from the US government for covering up accelerator pedal defects blamed for more than 50 deaths. At least 97 lawsuits have been filed against Toyota in the US, regarding injuries or deaths linked to sudden acceleration.

Earlier this year Toyota recalled 2378 of its Prius hybrid vehicles in Australia and more than 400,000 wordwide due to reports of inconsistent brake feel.

The stalling problem would be the second recall this year to hit the LS460 and LS600hL models after a steering fault was identified in May.

[morak001]

Faulty valve springs, unusual noises, followed by the engine stalling whilst driving! does that sound like a dropped valve? or just a minor issue like the piston hitting the valve causing a minor engine stall due to disconnection of the piston to crankshaft mechanism?

[Bossxr8]

No wonder Toyota were making such massive profits, by cutting corners everywhere due to not enough qualified engineers because they expanded too fast and couldn't get enough workers to fill the required positions.

Victims of their own short term success.

[vztrt]

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...0705-zx6u.html

Toyota starts recall over engine defect
July 5, 2010 - 4:38PM



Toyota has started recalling Lexus and Crown luxury vehicles in Japan over an engine defect, and says actions in overseas markets will follow soon.

Toyota has started recalling Lexus and Crown luxury vehicles in Japan over an engine defect in the latest setback for the carmaker beset with quality problems.

Toyota Motor Corp said actions in overseas markets would follow soon.

The world's top automaker told the Japanese government on Monday it was recalling 91,903 vehicles in Japan for flaws in the valve springs.

The defect could make the vehicle stall while it is moving.

Toyota disclosed the problem last week and said it planned action. It affects some 270,000 vehicles around the world.

The company said it has received 220 complaints about the problem but no crashes had been reported.

[vztrt]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257758000EC120

Toyota confirms Lexus engine recall

Engine valve spring trouble forces Lexus to recall 1120 luxury cars in Australia

6 July 2010

By TERRY MARTIN

TOYOTA Australia has today issued a safety recall of 1120 cars from its prestige brand Lexus to replace engine valve springs that could potentially cause the luxury vehicles to stall unexpectedly.

Affecting 270,000 vehicles worldwide, the recall affects four models sold in Australia: the flagship $243,900 LS600hL hybrid, the LS460, GS460 and GS450h hybrid.

Other affected models overseas include the IS350, which is due for release in Australia in the final quarter, as well as the Lexus GS350 and Toyota Crown, which are not sold here.

As GoAuto has reported, faulty valve springs were discovered in certain V6 (3.5-litre) and V8 (4.6 and 5.0-litre) engines.

Foreign material is believed to have contaminated the valve springs of the engines in question during the manufacturing process, resulting in potential breakage.

According to the company, there have been no reports of engine failure or vehicles stalling in Australia, but Toyota Australia spokesman Glenn Campbell told GoAuto that it had received one case of an engine misfiring.

“There is a small possibility that abnormal engine noise or unstable idling may occur, and what we understand is that in very rare instances there is a chance that the engine may stall while driving due to the valve spring breaking,” Mr Campbell said.

The affected Australian models were produced between February 2007 and August 2008.

Owners of the vehicles involved will be personally contacted by a Lexus representative to discuss arrangements for repairs to be made, which will be performed at no cost to the owner.

The company has confirmed that repair times will be approximately three days for V8-powered models and one day for V6-powered models. Vehicle owners will be given a loan car “to reduce any inconvenience”.

“Lexus builds high quality luxury vehicles and is fully committed to customer safety, and once a recall campaign is launched we act quickly to fix those affected units,” Mr Campbell said.

Of the circa-270,000 vehicles affected worldwide, around 137,000 are in the US, 92,000 cars are in Japan and 5800 in China.

As we reported last week, Lexus has been increasingly caught up in Toyota’s ongoing global recall and quality crisis, which has affected around 10 million vehicles across all brands combined since last year.

The valve spring problem came to light a week after Toyota issued a recall of up to 17,000 2010 model year Lexus HS250h vehicles in the US after tests showed that fuel could spill in a rear-end crash.

The LS limousine was also subject to a global recall in May, when it was found that around 11,500 LS460 and LS600h vehicles – including 14 in Australia – could experience a problem with their variable gear ratio steering system in which the steering wheel was positioned off-centre when the wheels were in fact straight.

Earlier this year, Lexus recalled more than 214,000 vehicles in the US because of potential fuel hose leaks caused by ethanol fuels, while around 9500 examples of the LandCruiser Prado-based GX460 were also recalled to adjust their electronic stability control system.

None of these involved vehicles sold in Australia, and a subsequent global recall of almost 60,000 SUVs that have the same underpinnings as the GX460 also did not extend to Australia.

Toyota Australia did, however, issue a recall notice last week for the LandCruiser 200 Series for a problem that could prevent the front seatbelt buckles from engaging