It looks like Toyota's recent recall woes are far from over. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is investigating if Toyota is at fault for delaying a recall involving the steering linkage failures, which could result in loss of steering control.
The recall involved almost 1 million Toyota pickups, T100's, and 4Runners built from 1989 to 1998.
Toyota first issued a recall in Japan in 2004 for the linkage failures, but did not issue one in the U.S. until September of 2005.
Toyota commented saying that the U.S. and Japan had different driving standards and a similar failure was unlikely.
This type of delay islead to Toyota's fine of $16.4 million last month when it had issued a recall in Europe regarding sticky acceleration pedals but did not do so in the U.S. until January of this year.
Under Federal law, all automakers must notify the NHTSA within five days of learning of a defect. Not complying could lead to a $16.4 million fine; the maximum allowed.
-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Consumer Reports]
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