Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[NHTSA investigating 561k Toyota Prius hybrids for possible steering shaft defect]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/nhtsa-investigating-561k-toyota-prius-hybrids-for-possible-steer/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/nhtsa-investigating-561k-toyota-prius-hybrids-for-possible-steer/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/nhtsa-investigating-561k-toyota-prius-hybrids-for-possible-steer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2007 Toyota Prius - front three-quarter view, blue

The Detroit News is reporting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will investigate some 561,000 Toyota Prius models for potentially defective steering shafts. The affected hybrid models are from the 2004-2009 model years. The story indicates that NHTSA is weighing whether or not to grant a defect petition, which claims that Toyota incorrectly assembled the hatchback's steering linkage.

As of this writing, there is no recall. However, a recall based on the Prius steering shaft would be the third related to steering issues for the model since 2006. Seven years ago, Toyota recalled 170K Prius models for potential cracking of the intermediate shafts, and in November of 2012, the automaker recalled 670K units to replace the steering shaft extension assembly.

We'll be monitoring NHTSA's signals to see if this investigation turns into a full-fledged recall. For now, stay tuned.

NHTSA investigating 561k Toyota Prius hybrids for possible steering shaft defect originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2004 toyota priusnational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsapriusrecalltoyotatoyota safetyMon, 25 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20476276/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/25/nhtsa-investigating-561k-toyota-prius-hybrids-for-possible-steer/20476276/article-detail.xml 20476276 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/07priusloc2hi12_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/07priusloc2hi12.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota tops 2012 recalls in volume, Ford in number of campaigns]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/08/toyota-tops-2012-recalls-in-volume-ford-in-number-of-campaigns/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/08/toyota-tops-2012-recalls-in-volume-ford-in-number-of-campaigns/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/08/toyota-tops-2012-recalls-in-volume-ford-in-number-of-campaigns/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Toyota dominated new car sales last year, with its Camry topping out at just over 400,000 units, but the automaker also led a much less desirable category in 2012: recalls. According to The Detroit News, Toyota's 5.3 million recalled units was enough to give it the highest recall volume last year in the US, giving the brand this unfortunate distinction for the third time in the last four years. Overall, 16.2 million vehicles (including RVs and motorcycles) were recalled last year with the oversight of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration marking an increase of 4.5 percent over 2011. By volume, Toyota, Honda and the Detroit Three accounted for the vast majority of all recalls tallied last year with a combined total of almost 13 million recalled vehicles.

Looking at the total number of vehicles that were recalled, Toyota and Honda each had more than double of any other automaker, but when it came to the total number of individual recall campaigns, Ford had the most with 24 separate recalls issued. The report offers an interesting breakdown of different recall data from last year including a graphic that puts it all into perspective, so be sure to head on over to The Detroit News for the full report.

Toyota tops 2012 recalls in volume, Ford in number of campaigns originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford recallsnational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsarecallrecallstoyotatoyota recallstoyota safetyTue, 08 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20421381/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/08/toyota-tops-2012-recalls-in-volume-ford-in-number-of-campaigns/20421381/article-detail.xml 20421381 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/toyota-dealer-parts-and-service_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/toyota-dealer-parts-and-service.jpg <![CDATA[Why everyone loses but the lawyers in Toyota's unintended acceleration settlement]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/31/why-everyone-loses-but-the-lawyers-in-toyotas-unintended-accele/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/31/why-everyone-loses-but-the-lawyers-in-toyotas-unintended-accele/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/31/why-everyone-loses-but-the-lawyers-in-toyotas-unintended-accele/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Toyota Camry undergoing recall repair

The Toyota settlement recently submitted to US District Judge James Selna for approval will cost the company anywhere from $1 billion to $1.4 billion. All to settle the class-action suit brought against it for economic losses stemming from claims of unintended acceleration. This suit only addresses the perceived loss-of-value that Toyota owners and lessees feel they have suffered, alleging their cars were the victims of unintended depreciation even if they did not directly suffer from the alleged cases of unintended/sudden acceleration. This is a separate case than the wrongful death suits brought about by the unintended acceleration brouhaha.

When the settlement was announced, this was the overview of its payouts:
  • Toyota will install brake override systems in all 3.25 million vehicles subjected to the floor mat entrapment recall.
  • Another fund of $250 million will compensate current owners whose vehicles are not eligible for the free brake override system.
  • A fund of $250 million will compensate former Toyota owners who sold their cars from September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010 for lost value.
  • Education grants valued at $30 million will be made to independent academic institutions to further study auto safety and enhance driver education.
  • All 16 million current Toyota owners will be eligible for a customer care plan that warrants certain parts allegedly related to unintended acceleration for three to 10 years.
Car and Driver attempts to break down where all that largesse is going, and who's going to get large off of it. We'll start from the top. Having something like three million cars run through service departments to have brake override systems fitted with Toyota stumping up the cash, is probably a win for dealerships and suppliers and even Toyota, obliquely, according to the report. The $250-million fund to reimburse owners whose cars can't be fitted with brake override systems will see each owner get a check for anywhere from $37.50 to $125 depending on the specifics of the model in question. Nobody wins that one.

The $250 million earmarked to compensate owners and lessees for lost value might end up being disbursed to millions of people and institutions, with estimates for individual payouts being from "hundreds of dollars to over a thousand dollars." The paucity of the payout doesn't just reflect the number of payees, it also reflects the near impossibility of an owner being able to determine and prove having suffered a specific amount of financial pain beyond standard depreciation. If anyone gets a trophy from that one, Car and Driver figures it's large used car dealers who moved a lot of Toyota metal during the time span.

$200 million is going to the 85 attorneys at 25 law firms for fees, plus another potential $27 million for their expenses.

Of the $30 million allotted for studies, up to $15 million will go to university studies of safety technology, another $800,000 going specifically to a university that will study "critical gaps in awareness and practice regarding defensive driving skills" including "driver pedal misapplication." The results from that study will be broadcast to the nation via a public safety campaign that will use some portion of the leftover $14.2 million dollars. Obviously, universities and advertising media make out all right with this, and hey, maybe we can all benefit from more research into safety technology.

The reporting doesn't address the extended customer care plan, but since the causes of alleged unintended acceleration haven't gone beyond suppositions of floor mats and pedal misapplication, and since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and NASA cleared the vehicles of any defects causative of unintended acceleration, good luck getting that warranty honored. Unless you need new floor mats in 2022.

That gets us up to a potential spend of $530 million so far, plus the cost of the brake override fitment. On top of that is another $200 million going to the 85 attorneys at 25 law firms for fees, plus another potential $27 million for their expenses. If the two hundred mil were split evenly among the 85 (it won't be - it will be disbursed to each according to their effort), that would make each advocate worth more than $2.35 million. And that's before expenses. It's pretty clear who wins that one, isn't it?

And assuming the settlement is approved by the judge, you'd have to figure Toyota wins. The company is about to be declared the largest automaker in the world again and it's predicting record sales for 2013. It could enter 2013 with this part of the ugly episode behind it and using money that has been saved just for the purpose. Not only that, the proposed settlement is less money than outsiders were expecting - word of the estimates actually sent Toyota's stock price up. So some things, like a few lawyers' bonuses, would change, otherwise much has remained just the same...

Why everyone loses but the lawyers in Toyota's unintended acceleration settlement originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Dec 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camryhagens bermanjames selnalawsuitnhtsasettlementsudden accelerationtoyotatoyota lawsuittoyota safetytoyota settlementunintended accelerationMon, 31 Dec 2012 17:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20414043/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/31/why-everyone-loses-but-the-lawyers-in-toyotas-unintended-accele/20414043/article-detail.xml 20414043 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2010-toyota-camry-recall-repair_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2010-toyota-camry-recall-repair.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota to settle $25.5M US investor lawsuit over unintended acceleration fallout]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/toyota-to-settle-25-5m-us-investor-lawsuit-over-unintended-acce/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/toyota-to-settle-25-5m-us-investor-lawsuit-over-unintended-acce/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/toyota-to-settle-25-5m-us-investor-lawsuit-over-unintended-acce/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Toyota Motor Corp. has decided to settle a shareholder class action lawsuit for $25.5 million. The suit began in early 2010 after reports of accidents attributed to unintended acceleration cropped up. The class action accused Toyota of improperly disclosing "safety and quality issues" related to those reports.

The company later recalled as many as 10 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles in a program estimated to cost $5 billion. The public relations fallout dragged down the company's stock value by $30 billion.

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, a member of the lawsuit class, had previously estimated a successful trial could have ended with as much as a $124 million payout.

If you hold Toyota stock, though, don't start spending your winnings just yet. First, common stockholders were disqualified from the suit in 2011. Only claims by investors in Toyota's American Depository Shares are covered. Second, the settlement is only a proposal for now and must still be approved by US District Judge Dale Fischer.

A Toyota spokesman said in a statement that the company is "pleased to be turning the page on this legacy legal issue." The plaintiffs' counsel declined comment.

Toyota to settle $25.5M US investor lawsuit over unintended acceleration fallout originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class actionlawsuitmaryland state retirement and pensionsudden accelerationtoyotatoyota safetyunintended accelerationWed, 14 Nov 2012 14:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20379825/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/14/toyota-to-settle-25-5m-us-investor-lawsuit-over-unintended-acce/20379825/article-detail.xml 20379825 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/toyota-250-1295878347_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/toyota-250-1295878347.jpg <![CDATA[NHTSA expands Toyota fire probe to 1.4M cars and trucks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/18/nhtsa-expands-toyota-fire-probe-to-1-4m-cars-and-trucks/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/18/nhtsa-expands-toyota-fire-probe-to-1-4m-cars-and-trucks/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/18/nhtsa-expands-toyota-fire-probe-to-1-4m-cars-and-trucks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

2009 Toyota Camry - blue - front three-quarter view

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has grown its investigation into certain Toyota models to cover a full 1.4 million cars and trucks. Reuters reports the government safety agency has upgraded the investigation to a full-blown engineering analysis, which may eventually lead to a recall. NHTSA has received a number of complaints concerning fires tied to models built between September 2006 and August 2008 that use the same power window master switch design. All told, customers have reported nine injuries and 161 crashes or fires, though no deaths have been tied to the issue.

The analysis covers 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4 and Yaris models as well as 2008 Highlander Hybrid crossover. Back in February, NHTSA opened an investigation into 830,000 Camry and RAV4 units, though today's announcement grows that number to over 1.4 million models.

NHTSA expands Toyota fire probe to 1.4M cars and trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camrycamry hybridhighlandernational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsarav4toyotatoyota camrytoyota firetoyota firestoyota safetyyarisMon, 18 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20260880/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/18/nhtsa-expands-toyota-fire-probe-to-1-4m-cars-and-trucks/20260880/article-detail.xml 20260880 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/2009-toyota-camry-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/2009-toyota-camry-628.jpg <![CDATA[Judge cautions jurors over Toyota conduct in sudden acceleration case]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/01/judge-cautions-jurors-over-toyota-conduct-in-sudden-acceleration/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/01/judge-cautions-jurors-over-toyota-conduct-in-sudden-acceleration/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/01/judge-cautions-jurors-over-toyota-conduct-in-sudden-acceleration/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Toyota Emblem

Judge James V. Selna has warned jurors in a wrongful death suit about suspicions surrounding Toyota. According to Inside Line, the warning comes tied to the automaker's conduct during an investigation of a 2008 Camry involved in a fatal crash allegedly caused by unintended acceleration. The single-car accident in Utah claimed the lives of the driver, Pual van Alfen, as well as one other passenger. Two passengers were also injured in the event on November 5, 2010. According to the report, two weeks later, Toyota inspected the sedan without the owner's presence or consent, including the onboard black box. Judge Selena cautioned jurors that they should treat the testimony of Toyota personnel who participated in the investigation with "greater caution than that of other witnesses."

Plaintiffs argued that without their own lawyers present during the inspection, data from the Event Data Recorder could have been changed or deleted entirely. The Judge said that while there was no evidence that Toyota did so, the fact that the automaker failed to notify the owner of the inspection casts a "cloud of suspicion" over the examination.

Judge cautions jurors over Toyota conduct in sudden acceleration case originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 toyota camryblack boxcamryevent data recorderjames selnajudge james selnasudden accelerationtoyota camrytoyota safetytoyota unintended accelerationunintended accelerationFri, 01 Jun 2012 17:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20249347/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/01/judge-cautions-jurors-over-toyota-conduct-in-sudden-acceleration/20249347/article-detail.xml 20249347 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/toyota-emblem-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/toyota-emblem-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ruling says Toyota can't require arbitration for unintended acceleration plaintiffs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/13/ruling-says-toyota-cant-require-arbitration-for-unintended-acce/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/13/ruling-says-toyota-cant-require-arbitration-for-unintended-acce/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/13/ruling-says-toyota-cant-require-arbitration-for-unintended-acce/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota grille emblem

U.S. District Judge James Selna - who has presided over the unintended acceleration cases against Toyota since 2010 - says the automaker does not have the right to compel 20 named plaintiffs into arbitration. The plaintiffs are seeking class-action status for lawsuits covering economic losses from the alleged issue of unintended acceleration. Toyota had maintained that leasing and purchase agreements signed by the owners denies owners the right to class-action litigation.

According to Bloomberg, although the ruling covers all 20, the are two kinds of plaintiffs in this instance. The judge decided that Toyota had lost its right to arbitration with fifteen of the plaintiffs only because Toyota waited so long to pursue it. Selna concluded that since the plaintiffs had come so far in the litigation process that "They would be prejudiced if their claims were required to be submitted to arbitration now."

Selna further denied Toyota's right to arbitration with the remaining five because "the carmaker wasn't a party to the arbitration agreements between the plaintiffs and the Toyota dealers." The ruling finalizes the tentative decision Selna issued last month.

Class-action status for the plaintiffs, however, has not yet been granted. Three trials are scheduled for next year, and they will be used to set precedents for evidence, liability and theories. It is expected that a final decision on class-action status will come after the conclusion of those three cases.

Ruling says Toyota can't require arbitration for unintended acceleration plaintiffs originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>james selnajudge james v selnasudden accelerationtoyotatoyota lawsuittoyota safetyunintended accelerationTue, 13 Mar 2012 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20192178/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/13/ruling-says-toyota-cant-require-arbitration-for-unintended-acce/20192178/article-detail.xml 20192178 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/toyotaarbitrationruling_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/toyotaarbitrationruling.jpg <![CDATA[CNN reveals Toyota memo that purports to show sudden acceleration caused by electronics]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/02/cnn-reveals-toyota-memo-that-purports-to-show-sudden-acceleratio/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/02/cnn-reveals-toyota-memo-that-purports-to-show-sudden-acceleratio/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/02/cnn-reveals-toyota-memo-that-purports-to-show-sudden-acceleratio/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



CNN revealed a confidential memo written in Japanese on the Anderson Cooper 360 show last night that it contends shows Toyota engineers found an electrical problem that caused sudden unintended acceleration in a pre-production test vehicle. The news organization commissioned three separate translations of the documents, though Toyota has objected to the accuracy of each.

Findings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and National Research Council have both supported Toyota's original explanation of sudden unintended acceleration being caused by either sticky gas pedals, trapped floor mats or human error. Toyota has never admitted that electronic or software issues were to blame for any reported cases of SUA, and every investigation into the matter has failed to identify the automaker as responsible.

Toyota does admit the document in question was not provided to the federal government during their investigations, but explains that "the test and document had nothing to do with unintended acceleration, or a defect, or a safety flaw of any kind." Rather, Toyota insists the document refers to pre-production testing of the company's adaptive cruise control system on a version of the Lexus LS 460 sold in Japan and Europe. A Toyota electrical engineer told CNN that the cruise control system acted exactly as it should when they input an abnormal signal, and that the test resulted in further refinements to the system.

We've embedded the CNN video report after the jump, which also includes anecdotal testimony from one Lexus owner who claims that she has experienced SUA in the period since federal investigators released their findings. Toyota inspected her vehicle and provided data from sensors in her car that showed in her case, acceleration was caused by pedal misapplication. You can also read Toyota's official response just below the video.

Continue reading CNN reveals Toyota memo that purports to show sudden acceleration caused by electronics

CNN reveals Toyota memo that purports to show sudden acceleration caused by electronics originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anderson cooperanderson cooper 360cnnjapanese memolexusnhtsasudden accelerationsudden unintended accelerationtoyotatoyota safetytranslationunintended accelerationvideoFri, 02 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20184477/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/02/cnn-reveals-toyota-memo-that-purports-to-show-sudden-acceleratio/20184477/article-detail.xml 20184477 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/toyota-memo-japanese_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/toyota-memo-japanese.jpg <![CDATA[National Academy of Sciences: Electronic glitches in cars untraceable, more oversight needed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/national-academy-of-sciences-electronic-glitches-in-cars-untrac/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/national-academy-of-sciences-electronic-glitches-in-cars-untrac/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/national-academy-of-sciences-electronic-glitches-in-cars-untrac/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

crashed Toyota Camry

"We couldn't find anything, but we're still blaming the car." That's the gist of the statement from a National Academy of Sciences panel headed by New Jersey Institute of Technology physics professor Louis Lanzerotti. The NAS supports U.S. regulators shutting down investigation of Toyota unintended acceleration incidents without finding electronic faults that would cause the behavior. However, at the same time, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is planning to call for further oversight and more study to attempt to rule out electronic causes.

About the only thing that's concrete is that crashes happened. To be fair, electronic faults can be tricky to pin down, even with far simpler systems than the networked-computing setups that modern cars universally employ. That's why event data recording is already part of many automotive systems, along with a high degree of redundancy and fault tolerance. Many carmakers also already program engine management to douse the throttle with brake application in certain situations. Few are more interested in catching intermittent, potentially catastrophic problems than the companies building the cars, and most have already implemented the systems these organs of the state are calling for. Even so, the NAS and NHTSA appear keen to write these tendencies into law. Read the NAS' press release after the jump.

Continue reading National Academy of Sciences: Electronic glitches in cars untraceable, more oversight needed

National Academy of Sciences: Electronic glitches in cars untraceable, more oversight needed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>national academy of sciencesnational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsasudden accelerationtoyotatoyota recalltoyota recall acceleratortoyota safetytoyota sudden accelerationtoyota unintended acceleratonunintended accelerationThu, 19 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20151689/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/19/national-academy-of-sciences-electronic-glitches-in-cars-untrac/20151689/article-detail.xml 20151689 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/runawaycamry-utah_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/runawaycamry-utah.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota recalls 52,000 Prius hybrids for steering defect]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/01/toyota-recalls-52-000-prius-hybrids-for-steering-defect/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/01/toyota-recalls-52-000-prius-hybrids-for-steering-defect/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/01/toyota-recalls-52-000-prius-hybrids-for-steering-defect/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2001-2003 Toyota Prius

Toyota is recalling 106,000 Prius models built between 2001 and 2003. A total of 52,000 of those units were sold in the States.

Toyota says that if the steering wheel is strongly turned to the full lock position over and over again, the electric power steering pinion shaft nuts may become loose. Over time, that may result in the driver having to exert more force than typically necessary to turn left.

Owners can expect to be notified of the recall in early July, and the repair (in which dealers will replace the electric power steering pinion shaft nuts with new equipment) is expected to take around four hours.

In addition, the Japanese automaker is recalling a handful of Venza and Sienna all-wheel drive models for improperly heat-treated front drive shafts. The recall covers a total of 34 Venza models and 16 Sienna units produced in 2011, and owners can expect to be notified of the problem by June of this year. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

Continue reading Toyota recalls 52,000 Prius hybrids for steering defect

Toyota recalls 52,000 Prius hybrids for steering defect originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2001 toyota prius2002 toyota prius2003 toyota priuspriusprius recallrecallsiennatoyotatoyota priustoyota prius recalltoyota recalltoyota safetyvenzaWed, 01 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19955196/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/01/toyota-recalls-52-000-prius-hybrids-for-steering-defect/19955196/article-detail.xml 19955196 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/2001-to-2003-toyota-prius_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/2001-to-2003-toyota-prius.jpg <![CDATA[No $1M prize winners in contest to crack Toyota sudden acceleration syndrome]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/27/no-1m-prize-winners-in-contest-to-crack-toyota-sudden-accelerat/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/27/no-1m-prize-winners-in-contest-to-crack-toyota-sudden-accelerat/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/27/no-1m-prize-winners-in-contest-to-crack-toyota-sudden-accelerat/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Shadowy Toyota logo with Camry

Last year, Edmunds asked its readership to recreate a mechanical or electrical cause of sudden unintended acceleration of the kind that allegedly plagued Toyota in 2009 and 2010. The prize for coming up with verifiable proof of mechanical failure causing SUA was a cool $1 million dollars. Perhaps unsurprisingly, that contest just concluded without a winner.

Over the course of the year, Edmunds readers were unable to come up with proof that a mechanical or electrical fault caused the accidents that led to Toyota's drastic recall. That backs up NASA's finding that absolved Toyota of any wrongdoing. With mechanical failure ruled out as a viable cause of SUA, we're left with an uncomfortable thought: Short of those dealing with binding floor mats or those sticky recalled pedals, driver error was almost certainly the culprit for the flurry of unintended acceleration claims.

No $1M prize winners in contest to crack Toyota sudden acceleration syndrome originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto observercamryedmundssuasudden accelerationtoyotatoyota safetyunintended accelerationFri, 27 May 2011 14:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19951925/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/27/no-1m-prize-winners-in-contest-to-crack-toyota-sudden-accelerat/19951925/article-detail.xml 19951925 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/shadowy-toyota-logo-with-camry_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/shadowy-toyota-logo-with-camry.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota recalls 51,000 Tundra pickups over possible driveshaft fault]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/toyota-recalls-51-000-tundra-pickups-over-possible-driveshaft-fa/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/toyota-recalls-51-000-tundra-pickups-over-possible-driveshaft-fa/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/toyota-recalls-51-000-tundra-pickups-over-possible-driveshaft-fa/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2011 Toyota Tundra
2011 Toyota Tundra - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has announced that it is voluntarily recalling 51,000 2011 Tundra pickup trucks. The automaker says that .05 percent of the vehicles may have been built with a faulty slip yoke on the driveshaft. Due to improper manufacturing during the foundry process, the yoke could break. So far, the incident has only occurred in one customer-owned vehicle and no accidents or injuries have been reported as a result of the defect. Toyota says that owners will begin receiving recall notices next month and that dealers will inspect the vehicles' driveshafts to determine if they are part of the defective production lot.

Though the inspection is expected to take no more than 10 minutes, if needed, actual replacement will take longer, but both inspection and replacement of the faulty parts will come at no cost to owners. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles have been impacted by the problem. Hit the jump for Toyota's official press release.


Gallery: 2011 Toyota Tundra


[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota recalls 51,000 Tundra pickups over possible driveshaft fault

Toyota recalls 51,000 Tundra pickups over possible driveshaft fault originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 toyota tundra2011 tundra2011 tundra recalltoyotatoyota recalltoyota safetytoyota tundra recalltundratundra pickuptundra recallTue, 26 Apr 2011 13:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19924281/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/26/toyota-recalls-51-000-tundra-pickups-over-possible-driveshaft-fa/19924281/article-detail.xml 19924281 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/tundra-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/tundra-630.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Jury selection underway for Toyota unintended acceleration case]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/29/report-jury-selection-underway-for-toyota-unintended-accelerati/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/29/report-jury-selection-underway-for-toyota-unintended-accelerati/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/29/report-jury-selection-underway-for-toyota-unintended-accelerati/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Scion logo

According to a new Bloomberg report, jury selection has commenced in a lawsuit against Toyota stemming from the unintended acceleration debacle. Amir Sitafalwalla sued Toyota in 2008, claiming that his 2005 Scion accelerated uncontrollably and only stopped when he hit a tree.

This is the first unintended acceleration case to reach trial after Toyota recalled millions of vehicles in 2009 to fix the unintended acceleration. Sitafalwalla's case goes to trial in Central Islip, Long Island later this month.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: Jury selection underway for Toyota unintended acceleration case originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lawsuitlong islandscionsitafalwallasudden accelerationtoyotatoyota safetyunintended accelerationTue, 29 Mar 2011 17:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19895569/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/29/report-jury-selection-underway-for-toyota-unintended-accelerati/19895569/article-detail.xml 19895569 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/scion-emblem-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/scion-emblem-opt.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Bloomberg</i>: Unintended acceleration Toyota plaintiffs challenging NASA findings]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/22/bloomberg-unintended-acceleration-toyota-plaintiffs-chal/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/22/bloomberg-unintended-acceleration-toyota-plaintiffs-chal/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/22/bloomberg-unintended-acceleration-toyota-plaintiffs-chal/#commentsFiled under: , ,

toyota logoPlaintiffs in the unintended acceleration class action case against Toyota are striking back against the findings laid out by NASA. It was the National Aeronautics and Space Administration that produced research showing electronics were not to blame for any sudden acceleration-related issues.

According to Bloomberg, the plaintiffs in the case maintain that NASA didn't dig deep enough. Toyota's computer systems utilize eight million lines of code, yet NASA only looked through 280,000. Lawyers for the plaintiffs have filed paperwork stating they plan to bring in experts who'll contradict NASA's findings.

Toyota maintains that any issues of unintended acceleration were related to stuck accelerator pedals, faulty floor mats and driver error - two out of three of which have been addressed with recalls.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Bloomberg: Unintended acceleration Toyota plaintiffs challenging NASA findings originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nasanasa toyota findingssudden accelerationtoyotatoyota recalltoyota safetytoyota sudden accelerationunintended accelerationTue, 22 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19888103/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/22/bloomberg-unintended-acceleration-toyota-plaintiffs-chal/19888103/article-detail.xml 19888103 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/toyota-logo-1300375381_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/toyota-logo-1300375381.jpg <![CDATA[Opinion: Five Questions For Ray LaHood]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/22/opinion-five-questions-for-ray-lahood/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/22/opinion-five-questions-for-ray-lahood/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/22/opinion-five-questions-for-ray-lahood/#commentsFiled under: ,

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood

It took ten months. It involved the best brains in the nation. They conducted exhaustive tests. And Lord knows what it all cost. But when it was over, the results were totally predictable. The U.S. Department of Transportation could find nothing wrong with Toyota vehicles that would cause them to suddenly accelerate out of control.

The results were predictable because the country went through the same thing nearly a quarter of a century ago. Only then, it involved Audi. And in both of these cases, each car company was accused of having some sort of mysterious gremlin that would cause its cars to suddenly accelerate out of control.

But there is a significant difference between both investigations. Back then the Department of Transportation blamed it on driver error. Officially, they called it "pedal misapplication." But this time around, the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, wouldn't do that. He said it was caused by mechanical problems, i.e., sticky pedals and piled up floormats.

Too bad the Secretary didn't have the courage to call it like it is. By failing to identify the root cause of the problem, more people are going to lose their lives.

Continue reading...

[Image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty]

Continue reading Opinion: Five Questions For Ray LaHood

Opinion: Five Questions For Ray LaHood originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoline on autoblogfeaturedjohn mcelroynasanhtsaray lahoodtoyota recalltoyota safetyunintended accelerationTue, 22 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19850158/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/22/opinion-five-questions-for-ray-lahood/19850158/article-detail.xml 19850158 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/sec-of-transportation-ray-lahood_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/sec-of-transportation-ray-lahood.jpg <![CDATA[Opinion: Turning the tide at Toyota?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/17/opinion-turning-the-tide-at-toyota/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/17/opinion-turning-the-tide-at-toyota/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/17/opinion-turning-the-tide-at-toyota/#commentsFiled under: ,



What price a reputation? That's what Toyota will be learning in the months and years ahead as it struggles to recover from the safety scandal that has enveloped the company since it announced the first recall for unintended acceleration in October 2009.

There wasn't a single Toyota model that didn't land on the recall list at least once last year.
Going into the recession, certainly no company seemed better suited to weather the perfect storm than the Japanese giant, which had positioned itself as the leader in quality, reliability and dependability, or QRD in industry speak, as well as the benchmark for green mobility. Having ousted General Motors as the global king-of-the-hill, the Asian automaker seemed unstoppable.

Yet nearly seven years ago, I wrote a column suggesting Toyota might become the next GM if it weren't careful, and even as the company's sales continued growing, there were subtle signs of trouble in the offing - most notably in its slippage on the quality charts.

But few would have anticipated the sudden acceleration crisis, or the series of additional recalls that followed, month after month. In 2010, there wasn't a single Toyota model that didn't land on the recall list at least once - some repeatedly.

Continue reading...


Paul EisensteinPaul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com, and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

[Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Continue reading Opinion: Turning the tide at Toyota?

Opinion: Turning the tide at Toyota? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob carterihs global insightnhtsaray lahoodToyotatoyota recalltoyota safetyunintended accelerationThu, 17 Feb 2011 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19848118/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/17/opinion-turning-the-tide-at-toyota/19848118/article-detail.xml 19848118 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/toyota-logo-building-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/toyota-logo-building-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota launches Collaborative Safety Research Center in Michigan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/15/toyota-decides-to-build-collaborative-safety-research-center-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/15/toyota-decides-to-build-collaborative-safety-research-center-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/15/toyota-decides-to-build-collaborative-safety-research-center-in/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota badge

Toyota constantly preaches that safety is a top priority. To further back up those claims, the automaker has announced a new research program: The Collaborative Safety Research Center. Located at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the CSRC examines the science of safety with the goal of reducing the number of traffic fatalities and injuries on American roads. The best part about the program is related to the first word in its name - collaboration. Toyota isn't keeping this data in-house, instead sharing it with top universities, hospitals, research institutions, federal agencies and other projects or groups whose goal is to make driving a safer experience.

Researchers from North America and Japan will work together at the Michigan location testing everything from driver-distraction to vehicle, passenger and pedestrian safety. Toyota estimates that it will spend $50 million on the CSRC over the course of the next five years. A full press release is posted after the jump.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota launches Collaborative Safety Research Center in Michigan

Toyota launches Collaborative Safety Research Center in Michigan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ann arborcollaborative safety research centercsrcdistracted drivingsafetytoyotatoyota safetytoyota technical centerttcSat, 15 Jan 2011 15:51:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19800612/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/15/toyota-decides-to-build-collaborative-safety-research-center-in/19800612/article-detail.xml 19800612 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/toyota-badge_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/toyota-badge.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Toyota agrees to extra $32.4M in fines over recalls]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/21/report-toyota-agrees-to-extra-32-4m-in-fines-over-recalls/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/21/report-toyota-agrees-to-extra-32-4m-in-fines-over-recalls/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/21/report-toyota-agrees-to-extra-32-4m-in-fines-over-recalls/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Toyota logoIt looks like Toyota isn't finished shelling out cold, hard cash for its transgressions in handling its recalls. According to the Associated Press, the automaker has agreed to pay another $32.4 million in civil penalties. The money will effectively settle an inquiry into how Toyota handled recalls associated with both sticking accelerator pedals and faulty steering rods. The new penalty is stacked on top of the already record-setting $16.4 million that Toyota paid earlier this year, and brings the grand total up to a hefty $48.8 million. Even with that steep price tag, AP says that by agreeing to pay the fines, Toyota isn't admitting to any wrongdoing.

The federal government contends that Toyota failed to notify officials in a timely manner when the automaker discovered potential safety defects. Meanwhile, Toyota seems to be willing to do whatever it takes to put the safety fiasco behind it so that the company can move forward.

[Source: AOL Autos]

Report: Toyota agrees to extra $32.4M in fines over recalls originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>civil penaltypenaltiespenaltyrecalltoyotatoyota finestoyota recalltoyota recallstoyota safetyTue, 21 Dec 2010 10:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19771806/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/21/report-toyota-agrees-to-extra-32-4m-in-fines-over-recalls/19771806/article-detail.xml 19771806 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/toyotalogo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/toyotalogo.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Suit alleges Toyota pushed owners to stay quiet about unintended acceleration]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/29/report-suit-alleges-toyota-pushed-owners-to-stay-quiet-about-un/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/29/report-suit-alleges-toyota-pushed-owners-to-stay-quiet-about-un/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/29/report-suit-alleges-toyota-pushed-owners-to-stay-quiet-about-un/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota car emblem with dealer sign

Something tells us we're going to be wading through news of various lawsuits against Toyota for a good while. According to various news sources, the Japanese automaker is now facing accusations that it clandestinely sought to buy back vehicles with unintended acceleration issues in order to hide the problem from the public. Part of the alleged buy-back deal involved having owners sign a confidentiality statement that forbade them from talking to anyone - including regulators. In addition, those who took part in the program could not sue Toyota later down the line.

The lawsuit also points to internal Toyota documents that may indicate that company technicians and engineers were actually able to replicate the problem. At the heart of the suit, plaintiffs are alleging that Toyota acted negligently by failing to act on complaints of unintended acceleration for years.

The lawsuit bundles together more than a dozen plaintiffs into one larger, easier to handle suit.

Toyota, meanwhile, says that those who sold back their vehicles were simply asked to sign a waiver of liability - consumers weren't required to sign and the waiver didn't say anything about confidentiality. Thanks for the tip, Rudy!

[Sources: The Detroit Free Press, Bloomberg, Reuters via Yahoo News | Image: Ramin Talaie/Getty]

Report: Suit alleges Toyota pushed owners to stay quiet about unintended acceleration originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingtoyotatoyota lawsuittoyota recalltoyota safetyunintended accelerationFri, 29 Oct 2010 08:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19694805/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/29/report-suit-alleges-toyota-pushed-owners-to-stay-quiet-about-un/19694805/article-detail.xml 19694805 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/toyota-emblem-with-sign-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/toyota-emblem-with-sign-630.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota recalling 1.66 million vehicles globally over brake and fuel pump woes [UPDATE]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/21/toyota-recalling-1-66-million-vehicles-globally-over-brake-and-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/21/toyota-recalling-1-66-million-vehicles-globally-over-brake-and-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/21/toyota-recalling-1-66-million-vehicles-globally-over-brake-and-f/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Damaged Toyota sign on NASCAR body

Embattled automaker Toyota is staring down another massive recall. The safety action affects 1.53 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles globally, with the U.S. making up around 740,000 of that total and about 600,000 units coming out of the company's home market of Japan.

Stateside, models covered under the recall may have a faulty master cylinder seal in the braking system that could leak fluid, triggering a warning lamp and/or potentially resulting in reduced braking capability. Toyota models covered under the recall include the 2005-2006 Avalon and 2004-2006 Highlander (non-hybrid only), while Lexus service bays will open their doors for 2006 model year GS, IS and RX cars and crossovers.

In all, Toyota has called back over 10 million vehicles this year, with the most recent action being the Corolla/Matrix ECU recall that covered 1.1 million cars. Thanks to everyone for the tips.

*UPDATE: Official press release added after the jump.

Source: Reuters via Portfolio.com | Image: Rusty Jarrett/Getty for NASCAR]

Continue reading Toyota recalling 1.66 million vehicles globally over brake and fuel pump woes [UPDATE]

Toyota recalling 1.66 million vehicles globally over brake and fuel pump woes [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avalonbreakinggshighlanderislexusLexus GSlexus islexus recalllexus rxrxtoyotatoyota highlandertoyota recalltoyota safetyThu, 21 Oct 2010 09:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19683438/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/21/toyota-recalling-1-66-million-vehicles-globally-over-brake-and-f/19683438/article-detail.xml 19683438 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/toyota-sign-damaged-getty_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/toyota-sign-damaged-getty.jpg -1 2