Toyota Investigated for Recall Delay

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]

Toyota Expands Tundra Rust Recall

In October of 2009, Toyota recalled 110,000 2000 to 2003 Toyota Tundras due to extensively rusty frames. Now, Toyota has expanded that recall through April 2012, as it has also expanded the covered parts.

Toyota has expanded the original, minimal, coverage that focused on three main cross members in the rear of the truck that would rust to the point of failure. Now the recall encompasses most of the frame.

In order to be covered by the recall, the rust must create holes at least ten-millimeters in diameter. Also, the truck must be in good quality and if it meets the remaining requirements (basically if the truck isn't complete junk), Toyota will replace the frame replacement on the Tundra.

Expected completion time is four to five days, as the entire cab and bed, brake lines, wiring, and suspension will have to be removed. This is after the one to two week waiting period for the frame to arrive after the dealer places the order.

-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Left Lane News]