Toyota recalls 95,700 vehicles over cold weather braking concern
2009 Toyota Matrix -Click above for high-res image gallery
Toyota has begun working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall 95,700 vehicles with a brake issue that could lead to poor stopping at low temperatures. The recall involves 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix models and 2008-2009 Scion xD models with the 1.8-liter engine, and only customers in 19 cold weather states are eligible for the recall.
Toyota says the problem may arise when condensed moisture from the positive crankcase ventilation port seeps into the brake system vacuum port and freezes. As ice accumulates, the brake vacuum port could plug up and "power assist to the brakes would gradually decrease and lead to lengthened vehicle stopping distances." That doesn't sound good. Owners of affected vehicles will soon receive a notice from Toyota, followed by instructions to take the vehicle to a Toyota dealership for no-cost repairs. Dealer technicians will install a newly designed intake air connector that relocates the brake system vacuum port, a one-hour procedure.
While it's definitely a good thing that Toyota caught this issue as soon as it did, we have a bit of an issue with the fact that the recall is only for cold weather states. It's not like a Corolla or Matrix can't cross state lines during winter, and nobody deserves to be met with brakesicles when they try to stop. Hit the jump to pour over Toyota's press release.
Gallery: 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix
[Source: Toyota]
PRESS RELEASE:
TOYOTA ANNOUNCES SAFETY RECALL ON SELECT VEHICLES
Torrance, Calif., August 26, 2009 -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., will launch
a voluntary Safety Recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) involving approximately 95,700 Toyota and Scion vehicles sold in the United
States.
On certain 2009 and 2010 model year Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, and 2008 and 2009 Scion xD vehicles all equipped with 1.8 liter engines, 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 (PCV) port may seep into the brake system vacuum port and freeze. Should this condition continue, ice may slowly accumulate at the brake sy stem 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.
Since this condition only manifests in extremely low ambient temperatures, vehicle owners from 19 affected states will begi n receiving a Safety Recall Notification via first class mail in early September, 2009. 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 newly designed intake air connector which relocates the brake system vacuum port. The repair will take approximately one hour, depending on the dealers work schedule, at no charge to the vehicle owner.
No other Lexus, Toyota, or Scion vehicles are involved. Customers with questions or concerns should contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or the Scion Customer Experience at 1-866-70SCION(707-2466).
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg "2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
dukeisduke 11:26AM (8/27/2009)
Speaking of Toyota issues, wasn't it just a defective or poorly-designed PCV valve that caused the sludge problem that affected millions of Toyotas?
Reply
merlot066 11:55AM (8/27/2009)
It doesn't really matter what caused it, sludge in an engine is inexcusable, especially from the "gods" at Toyota. These brakes are just as bad.
"And how did you car get wrapped around this tree?"
"Oh it was ONLY the brakes that stopped working"
Luis 11:28AM (8/27/2009)
Here come the haters!
Reply
Danimal 11:28AM (8/27/2009)
Toyota's legendary Quality...
At least they're admitting to and fixing this problem...
...for some people.
Reply
sbessette91 1:06PM (8/27/2009)
It's ridiculous that they are only going to fix the vehicles in 'cold weather' states. The only reason they are doing that is because the number would be much, much larger than 95K units and they don't want the negative publicity or the repair costs.
alex 11:28AM (8/27/2009)
oh man, i loves me some toyota / GM recall article comments. allow me to start this s#it show off...
nice jap quality. but of course toyota, the darling of the media will get a free pass. if it were GM they'd get crucified.
but on the other hand....
way to go toyota. look how responsible they are by stepping up and fixing this problem. if it were government motors, they'd just hide the problem and risk the safety of their customers
ready set go!
Reply
fixitfixitstop 2:43PM (8/27/2009)
"Jap"? Are you stuck in 1942?
alex 4:41PM (8/27/2009)
1943 actually.
you see, what i did was use something that i like to call "parody". since you aren't familiar with it, i have kindly provided this link for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parody
P.V. 11:29AM (8/27/2009)
Maybe this is why VW shouldn't get too ambitious....
Reply
Luis 11:31AM (8/27/2009)
I guess it doesn't get cold in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Ohio, Indiana, or Pennsylvania.
Reply
Epsilon-Not 11:34AM (8/27/2009)
Toyota is betting on Global Warming to solve that problem.
MoonRover 2:43PM (8/27/2009)
Epislon-not, I 'm gong to give you a gold star for that comment........*.
TB 10:21PM (8/27/2009)
Agree with you on this. Anyone else with an XD having issues with the brake pads wearing out every 5,000 miles?
gearhead18 12:37AM (8/29/2009)
And I guess it never gets cold in Canada either? Does Toyota just not care,"meh, there's nothing between Colorado and Alaska"
mapoftazifosho 11:31AM (8/27/2009)
Only cold weather states, eh? What about years from now when some of those cars end up in cold weather states and don't have this fix...
Shady...
Reply
Luis 11:39AM (8/27/2009)
Maybe it's just the initial round of re-calls for parts reasons? I bet they have a whole model developed to figuring out which states get cold first, then the rest will come later. Yeah, that's it...
Sorry, I'll usually defend Toyota but this makes no sense. I live in MA and I'm pretty sure I still need my heavy coats this winter. I'm glad I don't drive one of these.
Judy Zik 12:22PM (8/27/2009)
Totally agreed. Here in Ontario the legendary Florida Used Car is everyone's dream. Plus with the dollar almost at par car dealers are importing vehicles by the truck load and we get our share of that thing called "winter". Of course these days a lot of people are driving their vehicles out West to the oil sands of Alberta looking for jobs. The temperature around there can sit at -30C for days. If the car crash doesn't kill you getting stuck in the elements on a deserted road for more than a few hours could.
This is not just a Toyota thing though. Other automakers have done snow belt only recalls. It is disgusting. They should be forced to label all the vehicles they don't cover under the recall as "Not Fit For Snow".
Atomicbri 12:33PM (8/27/2009)
I "toyota"lly agree mapoftazifosho. I was thinking the same thing!! What if the car in CA that has an issue is sold on eBay to a person that lives in MI or ND, what about those cars??? What happens to those people with those cars??? WOW TOYOTA!! Fix your cars! Period! But of course no one will belittle them.... it is Toyota after all!
novanglus 11:32AM (8/27/2009)
The fact that they limit the recall to the 19 cold weather states seems like it would leave them open to liability. I'm not sure this is the smartest move. Cars, by their specific nature and design, are meant to be mobile. I'd like to be the lawyer of the first person that drives up north and gets in an accident due to Toyota's failure to fix a known defect that substantially impacts the safety and proper operation of the vehicle.
Reply
warsteiner89 11:42AM (8/27/2009)
i'd take a recall over a company that trys to hide the fact that the tires they're using in their SUVs explode while driving and kill people. the most popular SUV in the country at the time no less.
Reply