Autoblog

Slightly more than 90,000 Toyota Highlanders are being recalled for a seatbelt problem in the third row. The recalled crossovers are all 2008 models built between May of 2007 and March of this year. The stock belts could prevent secure mounting of a rear-facing child seat in the third row, and dealers will install a redesigned part on affected Highlanders. The problem with the third row belts hasn't spawned any complaints or injuries, and owners will be notified starting in June. Still, Toyota has put the brakes on Highlander sales until current stock is retrofitted and assembly lines are resupplied with the new part.


[Source: AP via WCVB]

Toyota announced today that it's issuing a worldwide recall of about 250,000 vehicles, including 34,400 Lexus models in the U.S., for potential cracks in their fuel pipes. The Japanese domestic market was hit hardest by the recall, with some 215,020 cars affected including the Crown, Mark X and a few Lexus models built between December 2003 and December 2005. In the U.S., only particular 2006 Lexus GS300, IS 250 and IS 350 models are being recalled. No accidents have been reported due to the cracked fuel pipes that could leak, but Toyota will be replacing the old ones with newly designed fuel pipes when the recall begins next month.

We don't need to tell you that another recall is the last thing that Toyota needs right now. Already saddled with a high number of recalls this year and reeling from being knocked by Consumer Reports, the Japanese automaker is struggling to maintain its reputation for high quality while chasing General Motors to become the world's largest automaker.

[Source: CNN Money]

You know what happens when it rains: it pours. Right on the heels of Toyota taking a minor beating at the hands of Consumer Reports while claiming it carries nary a scratch, the Japanese automaker is recalling eight passenger car models made as far back as September 1999 for various faults. Some of the cars need parts swapped out in the fuel control system and pipes, some have malfunctioning fuel pumps, and some have steering systems with defective components. In Japan, the recall amounts to 471,827 cars, with another 680 cars sent to five export countries that needed to be fixed.

Toyota was given an official reprimand last year by the transport ministry when Japanese police accused the carmaker of knowingly ignoring a problem in one of its SUVs. In light of its well publicized recalls on this side of the Pacific, it's no surprise why the company has also been working to publicize its efforts to restore the reputation that helped get it where it is today.

Thanks for the tip, Raj!

[Source: Yahoo!]

Toyota plans to recall 55,000 all-weather floor mats that have been blamed for unintended acceleration in 40 complaint reports collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Owners who filed complaints reported their floor mats, which should normally be secured by clips, had become stuck under the acceleration pedal. Toyota, however, has said that in some cases these all-weather mats were merely placed on top of the standard floor mats, rather than being secured with their clips. Regardless, the sticking floor mats have led to eight crashes and 12 injuries.

Though only affecting floor mats sold with the Lexus ES 350 and 2007/08 Toyota Camry, the NHTSA is also warning Toyota Prius, Avalon, RAV4 and Tacoma owners to check and make sure their floor mats are properly secured. The potential for an accident to occur is much greater in the Lexus ES 350, however, because it's equipped with a push-button ignition so that the engine cannot simply be turned off by a key if an owner experiences unintended acceleration.

Toyota will notify owners of the affected vehicles in October and replace the floormats in November. If you own a Toyota or Lexus and opted for the all-weather floor mats, check to make sure they're secure before your next drive.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]