Toyota Recall - Information & Updates

Toyota is recalling about 310,000 of its FJ Cruiser SUVs from the 2007 through 2013 model years because of a problem involving seat belt retractors. The recall could affect close to 5300 Toyota FJ Cruisers sold in Australia since it launched here in 2011.Toyota's US website says the seat belts for the driver and front passenger are mounted on the rear doors of the FJ Cruiser. Because of the insufficient strength of the rear door panel, cracks could develop over “an extended period of time,” especially if the rear doors are “repeatedly and forcefully” closed.In the event that cracks appear around the FJ Cruiser's lower seat belt retractor anchor, the retractor could loosen and detach. Toyota said it has not received any reports of accidents or injuries due to the problem.Owners will be notified by mail “soon” and instructed to bring their vehicles to Toyota dealers for a free repair.In the meantime, owners can find more information online at www.toyota.com/recall.www.thecarconnection.com 

Another recall has hit Toyota, with the brand issuing a notice on the hybrid Prius for a defect that can see the cars suddenly lose power or stop, creating a safety risk for occupants and nearby traffic.The problem has been traced to a fault in the software that controls a power converter, and affects 1.9 million Prius cars around the world built between 2009 and 2014, with 5500 affected in Australia. The software failure can activate the car's warning lights and cause it to enter 'limp home' mode, allowing it to still be driven but only slowly."Because, in the worst case, the car could stop while driving we do consider this a potential safety issue and that's the reason why we are implementing this recall," a spokesman at Toyota's Japanese headquarters told media.However, Toyota Australia spokesman Mike Breen said there have been no incidents reported locally. "We're contacting local owners, who can take their Prius to a dealer and have the software remapped," he said, adding that the fix would take about an hour. Breen said there were no extra precautions Prius owners needed to take until the issue was rectified.The recall follows two previous ones for the Prius -- in 2013 and 2010 -- however this is the largest in scale. It comes on the heels of news that Toyota is close to settling a US$1.1 billion claim from a class action lawsuit by 16.3 million owners of vehicles whose value was affected by previous recalls.Toyota also yesterday announced an overseas recall on other models, including the RAV4 and Lexus RX350, but there will be no impact on Australia as the defective feature is not available here. 

Toyota is recalling the 6000 FJ Cruisers in Australia as part of a global recall of about 310,000 of the SUVs from the 2007 through 2013 model years because of a problem involving seat belt retractors.The seat belts for the driver and front passenger are mounted on the rear doors of the FJ Cruiser. Because of the insufficient strength of the rear door panel, cracks could develop over “an extended period of time,” especially if the rear doors are “repeatedly and forcefully” closed.The recall notice says cracks may develop in the lower inner panel of the rear car doors (around the B-pillar) where the front seat belt retractor is anchored. If the cracks occur in the panel, the seat belt retractor could become detached in a collision. Toyota said it has not received any reports of accidents or injuries due to the problem.  Owners will be notified by mail to take their vehicles to Toyota dealers for a free repair. 

Toyota has issued a recall of the 2008-09 ZW30 third-generation Prius hybrid. The recall affects some 1,652 Australian models, and relates to a potentially faulty Brake Booster Pump Assembly --a key element of the car’s braking system.The potential fault can result in a fatigue crack to the accumulator within the system, which could cause nitrogen gas to leak and result in a spongy or longer travel to the brake pedal. This could in turn increase stopping distances and the risk of collision.The recall includes all Prius models within the VIN number range: JTDKN36U# 01000031 – 01092008 and JTDKN36U# 05000003 – 05076028, produced between October 2008 and October 2009.Toyota will alert owners of the recall via mail, advising they visit their Toyota dealer for a free inspection of the relevant system. If necessary, the assembly will be replaced free of charge. 

In another humiliating setback for the world's biggest carmaker, Toyota has recalled 2.77 million cars due to a fault that could result in the loss of steering. The recall applies to 12,710 Prius hybrids imported to Australia between 2003 and 2009, and a range of other models around the world -- including the popular Corolla. Toyota said in a statement the steering intermediate extension shaft may not have been adequately hardened, allowing the splines that connect the extension shaft to the steering box to deform and wear out if the steering wheel is "frequently and forcefully turned into full lock while driving at a slow speed".Toyota Australia spokesman Mike Breen said in the "worst case scenario a motorist continuing to drive under the conditions may cause the shaft to wear out, resulting in loss of control". He said there have been three reported cases in Australia so far, none of which has resulted in incidents.The Prius is affected by an additional recall for a defective water pump. It is news Toyota does not need as it tries to retain its global primacy ahead of General Motors. Only last month Toyota was forced to recall more than 7.4 million vehicles worldwide to fix faulty power window switches. The auto giant had barely recovered from the record 10 million vehicle pull back in 2009. 

The recall involves LandCruiser 70 Series wagon, troop carrier, single and double cab chassis models fitted with ABS brakes, and the notice cites a defect in the flexible brake hose bracket on the front differential. Under certain conditions, this bracket could fracture around the securing bolt and break, resulting in brake fluid leaking and a loss of braking ability.If the problem occurs, the lack of braking power could increase the risk of collision. However Toyota Australia spokesman Mike Breen says there has been only one incident reported locally, but with no injuries.He says owners of the affected LandCruisers -- estimated to be about 22,000 around the world and 14,000 in Australia -- should take their vehicles to a Toyota dealership to have them inspected. "Not all of the LandCruisers will be affected, but some will need to have the bracket and hose replaced if needed.The recall affects Toyota LandCruiser VDJ7# models  built between May 2012 through to March 2014. The VIN range covers the following: JTE EV73J# 00008761 - 00010163; JTE RV71J# 00005989 - 00006736; JTE RV73J# 09001428 - 09001708; JTE BV71J# 04000001 - 04005420; JTE LV71J# 00028750 - 00033096; and JTE LV73J# 09010556 - 09014211. The VIN number for your vehicle is located on the build plate in the engine bay.

Toyota has issued a global safety recall on 6.58 million vehicles, with the impact hitting the popular Hilux ute, RAV4 SUV and Yaris small car.Statements issued by Toyota Australia today said that 179,000 of the Hiluxes built between April 2004 and December 2009 have been recalled for a defect that could see a cable between the steering wheel and  column sustain damage when the wheel is turned, activating the airbag warning light and preventing the driver's airbag from deployingA separate safety recall on 118,600 of the Yaris hatches and sedans built between June 2005 and May 2010 is to fix a defective seat track spring on the driver's and front passenger's seats. The statement says the spring can break and become stuck, giving the false impression that the seat is properly locked in place.In the meantime, the Yaris can still be driven but if there is any difficulty in locking the seats in position, owners should contact a dealer to arrange an inspection. The repairs will take about 1.5 hours for the five-door hatch and sedan, and about three hours for the three-door hatch in which the front passenger seat will also have to be removed.The number of RAV4s being recalled is not yet confirmed. Toyota says neither of the problems with the Hilux and Yaris have resulted in any accidents or injuries in Australia. Vehicle owners are being contacted by Toyota, but can get more information on the brand's campaign helpline on 1800 643 242. 

Toyota has announced it is adding the Prado SUV to a recent recall for a defect that could stop the driver's airbag from deploying if a cable between the steering wheel and column is damaged from excessive turning.The expansion of the recall adds 2000 Toyota Prados built from  September 2009 through to June 2010 to the pool of affected vehicles, which includes 179,000 of the Hiluxes built between April 2004 and December 2009.In both models, the spring may be damaged with repeated turns of the steering wheel, activating the airbag warning light and preventing the driver's airbag from properly deploying.A separate safety recall on 118,600 of the Yaris hatches and sedans built between June 2005 and May 2010 is to fix a defective seat track spring on the driver's and front passenger's seats, which can break and become stuck, leading to the impression that the seat is locked in place when it could actually fly loose in an accident.Vehicle owners are being contacted by Toyota, but in the meantime can get more information on the brand's campaign helpline on 1800 643 242.

Toyota issues its seventh recall in six months, doubles up on one from last year.