Autoblog

Toyota recalling 670k Prius models in US, 2.77 million vehicles worldwide [UPDATE]

Zach Bowman — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Toyota

Automotive News reports Toyota is recalling a total of 2.77 million vehicles worldwide for faulty water pumps and steering system issues. A total of 670,000 of those are 2004-2009 Prius hybrids sold in the US. Those vehicles are headed back to the dealer, where technicians will inspect the intermediate shaft in the steering column for deformed splines and replace the shaft if necessary. Around 350,000 of those same models will also be inspected for a faulty electric water pump. In some cases, the motor driving the pump could stop, causing the electric motor to overheat and stop functioning while being driven.

Toyota has not received any reports of accidents as a result of either problem, and says the inspections and replacement work should be completed in around one hour.

The recalls also affect 496,000 vehicles in Europe and a further 1.5 million in Japan. All told, the steering shaft recall covers 10 models worldwide, including the Corolla and Wish models manufactured in Japan between 2000 and 2009. Five models are affected by the water pump recall, though we're still waiting for confirmation from Toyota as to which they are. You can read the full Toyota press release below, covering the US-spec Prius issues, for more information.

UPDATE: We've heard back from Toyota about the two recall issues reported on this morning, and have a bit of clarification on the models in question, worldwide, now.

Prius is the only model affected by the water pump issue. As we indicated earlier, the faulty water pump could cause the electric motor to shut down, which then causes the ECU to shut down the gasoline engine, as well.

The other nine models affected by the steering shaft issue (which is unrelated to the water pump issue) are mostly Japanese Domestic Market vehicles: Allex, Avensis, Corolla, Corolla Feilder, Corolla Run X, Corolla Spacio, Isis, WiLL VS and Wish.

We also have a breakdown of the number of vehicles affected by both recalls, by world market. 670k in the US, 1.5 million in Japan, 15k in Canada, 496k in Europe, 3,800 in China, 35k in Oceania, 1,500 in the Middle East and a total of 12,600 in "other" regions.

Continue reading Toyota recalling 670k Prius models in US, 2.77 million vehicles worldwide [UPDATE]

Toyota recalling 670k Prius models in US, 2.77 million vehicles worldwide [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini recalling certain Cooper S and JCW models over water pump

Chris Shunk — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Mini

Back in October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating certain turbocharged Mini models for vehicle fires. The investigation came after reports of at least 12 vehicles lighting up, and now the investigation has officially lead to a recall.

NHTSA has announced on its website that Mini will recall 88,911 turbocharged models built between November 2006 and January 2011 for a water pump problem that could result in a fire. The government agency says on its website that "the electronic auxiliary water pump that cools the turbocharger has an electronic circuit board that can malfunction and overheat." If that happens, the board could smolder and result in a vehicle fire.

Affected models include the 2007-2011 Cooper S, the 2008-2011 Clubman S, the 2009-2011 Cooper S Convertible, the 2011 Countryman S and John Cooper Works models from 2009 to 2011.

Owners of recalled vehicles will be asked to bring their Mini model to the nearest dealer for a free water pump replacement. Hit the jump to read over the official NHTSA release.

Continue reading Mini recalling certain Cooper S and JCW models over water pump

Mini recalling certain Cooper S and JCW models over water pump originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fight fires with your BMW R1200GS, sorta

Aaron Richardson — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., BMW, Motorcycle

German company Rosenbauer has found a novel use for the two-cylinder boxer engine found in the BMW R1200GS. The company has used the engine to power a water pump for use by fire departments in areas where traditional fire trucks can't reach.

The pump produces 68 horsepower, which is enough to move about 530 gallons of water a minute, which Rosenbauer says the pump can keep up for 300 hours straight, assuming you have an ample supply of gas and water.

The rig is technically portable, but with pumping equipment and a fairly big motorcycle engine attached, it isn't what you'd call lithe. Ready to run, Rosenbauer says the rig weighs 367 pounds.

[Source: Rosenbauer via Motorbiker | Image: Rosenbauer]

Fight fires with your BMW R1200GS, sorta originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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