AutoTribute » ToyotaCorolla

Toyota Recalls 1.1 Million Corolla and Matrix Models

Kwame Owusu — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:04:44 +0000

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of 1.13 million 2005-2008 Corolla and Matrix vehicles to address an issue with their 1.8L four-cylinder engines. According to Toyota, some of the engine control modules have been improperly manufactured. This could lead to the engine stalling as a result of cracks that could develop on the ECM’s circuit board. This defect has resulted in three accidents so far.

Toyota is not the only automaker affected by this recall — the Pontiac Vibe was built on the same platform as the Corolla/ Matrix and, thus, is plagued by the same problem. Accordingly, GM has also issued a recall of the 2005-2008 model year Vibes.

Toyota will replace the ECM on the recalled vehicles starting in September of this year.

PRESS RELEASE:

Toyota Announces Voluntary Safety Recall on Certain Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix Models

TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ — Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall involving approximately 1.13 million 2005-2008 Model Year Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles sold in North America to address some Engine Control Modules (ECM) that may have been improperly manufactured. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in this recall.

On vehicles equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive, there is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on the electronic component used to protect circuits against excessive voltage (varistor), on the ECM’s circuit board. In most cases, if a crack occurs at certain solder points or on certain varistors, the check engine may illuminate, harsh shifting could result, or the engine may not start. In limited instances, if cracking occurs on particular solder points or varistors, the engine could stop while the vehicle is being driven.

There are three unconfirmed accidents alleged to be related to this condition, one of which reported a minor injury.

Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America, said, “This recall is an example of our commitment to standing by our products and being responsive to our customers. Our goal is to help ensure that Toyota drivers are completely confident in the safety and reliability of their vehicles.”

As part of the recall, the ECM on involved vehicles will be replaced at no charge to the owner. Beginning in mid-September 2010, Toyota will mail an interim notification to advise owners of this recall and the fact that they will receive a future notice when parts become available to complete the repairs. Owners who have previously paid for replacement of the ECM to address this specific condition should refer to the owner letter for reimbursement consideration instructions.

Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., or Saturday 7 a.m. through 4 p.m. PDT.

First Class-Action Lawsuit Against Toyota Over Pedal Recall

Kwame Owusu — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:18:24 +0000

Toyota has made some history these past few weeks, and we’re not talking about the good kind of history. Stuck in recall hell, today marks another day that the Japanese automaker makes history: Two law firms, Parker Waichman Alonso and the Becnel Law Firm, have teamed-up in a bid to present Toyota its first-ever class-action lawsuit.

The law firms hopes to attain class action status, which, according to them, is “intended to benefit all residents of the United States who purchased a Toyota vehicle of model years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and/or 2010 that is subject to the recalls.”

The lawsuit alleges that, as a result of these recalls, Toyota owners lost the use of their vehicles, and sustained, among things, economic losses and severe emotional distress. The complaint charges Toyota with breach of implied warranty and negligence, and seeks compensatory, punitive and exemplary damages for the Class, as well as equitable and declaratory relief.

Given that the Toyota Camry and Corolla have been two of the best selling cars in North America in the past decade, this lawsuit is bound to be huge. So far the automaker has recalled a total of 2.3 million vehicles in North America over defective pedals. Worldwide, the recall tallies up to 7.5 million vehicles.

Source: The Auto Channel, via Autoblog

Toyota Recalls Another 1.1 million Vehicles for Sticking Pedal Issue

Kwame Owusu — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:50:24 +0000

Things are getting out of control at Toyota. Just after announcing that it will halt the production and sale of eight models affected by the pedal entrapment problem (different from the recalls related to the floor mat issue), Toyota today announced the recall of an additional 1.1 million vehicles for the same problem.

The latest recall affect the following vehicles:

2008-2010 Highlander
2009-2010 Corolla
2009-2010 Venza
2009-2010 Matrix
2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe

With these recent recalls, Toyota has recalled a total of 5.35 million vehicles linked to the sticking pedal issue. The company apparently has some fixes in the pipeline — they can’t get here soon enough.

Source: Detroit News