Nissan Recalls 51,100 Cube Hatchbacks in North America
July 26, 2010 – A reminder of decades gone by, a popular automaker is recalling thousands of hatchback models due to the possibility of fuel leaking during rear-end collisions. While the vehicle isn’t a Ford Pinto hatchback, it is an unusually cube-shaped hatchback.
Officials for the Nissan Motor Company informed federal regulators today of the recall of 45,700 2009 and 2010 Nissan Cube hatchbacks in the United States and another 5,400 in Canada after safety tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated fuel might spill during rear-end collisions during which the vehicle is turned over onto its side. Nissan officials said they did not encounter the problem during company crash tests but still issued the recall, which requires Nissan dealerships to install a protective device to prevent possible fuel spills.
Although no accidents, injuries or deaths have been attributed to the safety problem, Nissan officials acted quickly to remedy the situation – particularly in light of recent bad press for the world’s top automaker, Toyota, which recently recalled nearly 10 million vehicles worldwide for various safety issues, including vehicles allegedly accelerating beyond driver control. Although Toyota recalled millions of vehicles, company officials say human error is the most likely culprit in sudden-acceleration cases.
Recent news reports indicate officials for the U.S. Department of Transportation determined drivers were at fault in at least some of the reported incidents of Toyota vehicles suddenly accelerating uncontrollably. Specifically, Toyota officials say some drivers simply stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake and panicked when their vehicles lurched forward.
U.S. officials have yet to release a conclusive report on the Toyota matter, but a preliminary federal report issued earlier this year suggested the vehicles might be to blame in many cases. Over the past 10 years, Toyota vehicles suddenly accelerating out of control might have been the cause of up to 89 deaths, according to federal officials.
The report released in May by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests even more people have died due to problems with various Toyota models over the years than earlier estimates suggested. Federal officials previously suggested at least 52 deaths could be attributed to sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles, which the automaker since has recalled. The new report also indicates at least 57 people were injured as a result of sudden acceleration in Toyotas.
Toyota officials in May testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee regarding consumer problems regarding electrical components in Toyota vehicles, which are suspected of causing some vehicles to accelerate suddenly and created braking problems in some Toyota models. Toyota already paid a $16.4 million federal fine for its handling of various vehicle recall issues.
Despite the latest federal report pinning the blame on Toyota, Toyota Motor Sales USA President Jim Lentz told the Congressional panel there is no evidence bad electrical components were the cause of several incidents in which Toyota vehicles accelerated out of control and at times caused accidents. Toyota officials hired a consulting firm to inspect electrical components in various vehicles.
Practical Advice for Riding Motorcycles Safely on the Road
June 3, 2010 – As summer arrives so does peak motorcycling season across the United States. And with gas prices hitting record highs in recent years and remaining around the $3 per gallon level, motorcycles have become more practical and popular.
Some 5.37 million registered motorcycles traveled a combined 9.54 billion miles in the United States in 2003, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. And 147,703 commuters regularly used motorcycles to go to and from work, traveling a combined 1.5 million miles each day.
With the increase in motorcycle usage has come a corresponding rise in motorcycle fatality rates. Since 1997, the annual number of motorcyclist fatalities rose seven consecutive years and 89 percent total from 1998 through 2004, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Annual motorcyclist fatalities previously had declined from 1995 through 1997, bottoming out a historically low 2,116 deaths in 1997. But the number of fatalities nearly doubled to 4,008 in 2004, the most recent year for which information is available.
With motorcycle use and fatalities on the rise, Insurance-Website has compiled some practical motorcycle safety tips to help keep you safe and lessen the odds of becoming part of the rising trend of motorcyclist fatalities in the United States. But we won’t go into the basics of helmet use and other standard safety procedures repetitively written about elsewhere other than to say with so many first-time motorcyclists making the mistake of thinking high-powered, aggressively engineered 600cc-class sport bikes are “beginner bikes,” the need for some level of helmet law use becomes more imperative over time. But for helmet laws, too many kids wouldn’t bother to purchase even the most basic safety gear.
We will assume you have standard motorcycle safety gear, riding experience and quite possibly have completed a motorcycle safety course. We’ll even assume you don’t do the one thing most common among motorcycle accidents – drinking alcohol before riding. Instead, we provide suggestions for standard safety measures honed through years of riding experience in nearly all kinds of weather and on nearly all kinds of road surfaces.
Whenever riding a motorcycle, the only friend you have out there is another motorcyclist or a police officer – and sometimes not even then. The vast majority of drivers have a skill set much lower than that of an experienced, seasoned motorcyclist, and too many are distracted by cell phone conversations, the sending and receiving of text messages, kids arguing or other external stimuli. An experienced motorcyclist knows to keep his or her eyes moving, scanning the immediate area for any potential dangers and identifying likely trouble before it happens. When you get good enough, you can tell what other drivers will do before even they know simply by the way they operate their vehicles.
At all times, it’s best to assume the worst will happen and be prepared to react accordingly. That means assuming a car approaching the roadway from a drive will pull out at the absolute last second or an unleashed dog being walked along the roadway will sprint out in front of you. Establishing eye contact helps you know if the driver sees you, but more importantly, keeping an eye on the front wheels will tell you if that vehicle is moving and in which direction.
When traveling in traffic, a good motorcyclist never stays in the blind spot of other vehicles. Motorcycles are relatively small, and anything on four wheels has a significant advantage in a collision. Instead, you have to use the advantages a motorcycle has – greater quickness and smaller size – against the slower, larger vehicles. Whenever possible, try to be at the head of traffic when waiting at a stoplight without splitting lanes. When the light turns green, double check to ensure no other traffic is coming – or you very likely will die. If you ride often enough, sooner or later, someone will run a red light. Ensuring the coast is clear before entering the intersection. But when you know it is safe to proceed, it’s time to use your superior quickness to put slower, larger traffic several lengths behind you without violating speed limits, leaving you with an open pocket in which to travel with a clear view in all directions. Whenever possible, you want to find an open pocket and stick to it. Racing from one group of vehicles to the next only increases the odds of being killed.
To avoid being struck by an oncoming vehicle, motorcyclists should stick to the outside part of the road further away from the center line – especially when riding uphill or going around a blind corner. Many oncoming vehicles tend to drift across the center line for any number of reasons. In such cases, a motorcycle has a distinct advantage over larger vehicles that couldn’t possibly get out of the way in time to avoid a potentially deadly head-on collision.
While sticking to the outside part of the lane can spare you a head-on collision, it’s important to know other obstacles might pop up and be prepared to react accordingly – whether it’s a dead deer in the roadway, a tighter-than-anticipated turning radius, vehicles pulling out of blind drives, sand and gravel, bicyclists, farm implements or other objects. Maintaining a safe speed and not accelerating beyond your brakes’ ability to stop safely while negotiating a blind roadway will save your hind end several times over the lifetime of a seasoned motorcyclist. You just never know when you will have to make a sudden, evasive maneuver, or come to a sudden halt.
And when it comes to vehicle safety – particularly in deer-populated, rural areas, an old adage rings true: “Loud pipes save lives!” That doesn’t mean running a motorcycle with no baffles and an exhaust so loud it proves highly disturbing to your neighbors, causes hearing damage and puts you at risk of being ticketed by the police. But if you can’t hear your motorcycle running, it’s too quiet. Motorcycle exhaust pipes should be loud enough to capture the attention of nearby motorists and any roadside animals – particularly deer and other large creatures fully capable of killing unwary motorcyclists.
Whether it’s a vehicle backing out of a parking space or a freeway-bound driver blindly switching lanes, many times, it’s the sound of louder pipes letting motorists know you are near them. And when wild animals, such as deer, hear a motorcycle equipped with a sufficiently loud exhaust approaching, their primary instinct more often than not is to run for cover and away from the road. When deer opt for the roadway instead of the cover of nearby woods, motorcyclists need to slow down without panicking and rapidly flash your lights and honk your horn. A deer will stare down an approaching light – unless it is flashing and accompanied by a rapidly honking horn.
While these tips by no way are exhaustive, they are based on decades of riding experience and designed to provide a little more insight into motorcycle safety than you would get from a standard motorcycle safety course. And while abiding by them won’t assure you of avoiding an accident, they will lessen your chances of becoming the victim of the unexpected while enjoying one of the most economical and fun forms of personal transportation.
Toyota Recalls 50,000 SUVs for Slowing Problem
April 28, 2010 – Officials for the Toyota Motor Corporation today announced they are recalling some 50,000 Toyota Sequoia SUVs manufactured in 2003.
Unlike an earlier massive recall of several popular Toyota models for problems with sudden acceleration and gas pedals becoming stuck on floor mats, Toyota is recalling the 2003 Sequoias for unexpected slowing of some vehicles. Company officials said a problem with the vehicle’s traction-control system might cause it to accelerate too slowly. About half of the recalled vehicles already have been repaired through manufacturer warranties, according to Toyota officials.
Toyota changed its manufacturing process regarding the Sequoia SUV in 2003 and issued a repair bulletin to dealerships to replace potentially faulty “skid control” units if owners complain of problems. About half of all affected vehicles already have been repaired via warranty service, and Sequoia owners will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket costs associated with the repair, according to Toyota officials.
Federal officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration were looking into the matter, and Toyota officials decided to issue an official recall, although company officials say no injuries or accidents are known to have been caused by the possible defect. Toyota recently agreed to pay a $16.38 million fine levied for delays in recalling prior vehicles with known safety issues.
The recall is just one of many recently issued by the Toyota Motor Corporation as company officials work to restore the automaker’s prior reputation for building safe, reliable vehicles. Several of the largest auto insurance companies in the United States are looking over prior auto insurance claims involving Toyota Motor Corporation vehicles accelerating out of control, including Allstate, Geico and State Farm, according to the Associated Press report. Toyota officials recently recalled more than 9 million vehicles for various problems, including sudden acceleration, braking problems and problems with traction control systems on various vehicles.
The subrogation clause of insurance contracts give insurance companies the right to pursue legal remedies after paying insurance claims. The auto insurers can recoup damages arising from claims paid due to faulty Toyota vehicles, but policyholders would be entitled to at least a partial reimbursement of deductible amounts paid, the Associated Press reported.
The potential disbursements to auto insurance companies is just one of many financial troubles Toyota faces over its recent vehicle recall efforts. Toyota officials recently agreed to pay a $16.38 million federal fine regarding its handling of vehicle defects. And dozens of class action lawsuits have been filed regarding the recently falling values of used Toyota vehicles totaling a potential $3 billion in liabilities for the world’s largest automaker. The class action suits are in addition to existing lawsuits for legal liability in the dozens of accidents and deaths attributed to faulty Toyota vehicles in recent years.
Officials for the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration recently said they have received complaints of at least 52 deaths caused by sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles since 2000. Toyota Motor Corporation officials recently recalled nearly 10 million vehicles worldwide to correct problems with vehicles suddenly accelerating and other problems.
The first vehicle recall issued last year was to fix floor mat problems blamed for causing some vehicles to accelerate suddenly. When that fix failed to fully address safety issues, Toyota issued another recall of several popular models, including the Camry and Corolla, to replace gas pedals in millions more vehicles in China, Europe and North America. And Toyota officials last week issued yet another recall, this time for the automaker’s popular Prius hybrid and other hybrid vehicles for braking problems blamed on faulty software programming.
The latest recall comes in addition to the about 9 million vehicles across eight model lines Toyota officials have recalled already worldwide – including about 2.3 million vehicles in the United States. The Japanese automaker has recalled all Camry models manufactured from 2007 to 2010 as well as 2009 through current-year models Corolla, Matrix and the RAV4. Also recalled are the 2005 through 2010 Avalon, the 2008 through 2010 Sequoia and the 2010 Highlander. The recall covers about 9 million vehicles sold in North America, China and Europe.
Toyota officials say the combined recall efforts could cost the company about $2 billion. Toyota is the world’s largest manufacturer of automobiles and recently overtook bankrupted General Motors as the auto industry’s top seller.
Ford Issues Safety Recall for More Than 33,000 Vehicles
April 23, 2010 – Officials for the Ford Motor Company have filed a recall notice to fix a possible safety defect in 33,256 automobiles and SUVs built this year.
The recall is for the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan four-door sedans built at Ford’s Hermosillo, Mexico, factory between Dec. 11, 2009, through Feb. 3 of this year. Also recalled are some of the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer sport utility vehicles manufactured at Ford’s Louisville, Kentucky, factory from Dec. 15, 2009, through Feb. 3.
In an April 16 letter, Ford officials notified U.S. Highway Traffic Safety Administration officials that a potential safety defect with the reclining mechanisms on front seats might result in an injury to passengers during an accident. No known injuries have occurred as of April 14, and vehicle owners will begin receiving recall notices on April 30, according to Ford officials.
Ford’s quick notification to federal official might have arisen from recent troubles plaguing the auto industries top manufacturer, the Toyota Motor Corporation. Officials for the Toyota Motor Corporation on April 19 agreed to pay a $16.38 million federal fine without admitting fault regarding the automaker’s recent handling of safety issues that eventually spurred a massive, ongoing global vehicle recall.
Officials for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last month announced they are seeking a $16.38 million penalty to be paid by Toyota for allegedly delaying by at least four months any effort to notify the federal highway safety administration of known safety issues with several popular vehicle models. Officials for Toyota eventually recalled some 2.3 million vehicles in the United States in January to replace their gas pedals and ensure they cannot become “stuck” and cause a vehicle to accelerate out of control. The $16.38 million fine is the single largest ever levied on an automaker by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Although Toyota officials agreed to pay the fine, they did not admit any fault in the matter and this week announced yet another vehicle recall – this time for some 9,400 Lexus GX 460 SUVs manufactured this year and 600,000 of the company’s two-wheel-drive Sienna minivans manufactured from 1998 to 2010. The Lexus GX 460 recall was issued in the wake of a recent Consumer Reports’ assessment placing a “do not buy” recommendation after independent tests revealed potential problems with the vehicle’s stability-control system.
Toyota officials likely acted quickly on the stability-control problem with the Lexus GX460 after being accused of delaying recalls of known problems with other vehicles, which resulted in the $16.38 million fine after federal officials found evidence Toyota officials knew of the potential safety problem months before notifying federal law officials, per U.S. law.
“We now have proof that Toyota failed to live up to its legal obligations. Worse yet, they knowingly hid a dangerous defect for months from U.S. officials and did not take action to protect millions of drivers and their families. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said when announcing the record $16.38 million fine last month.
Federal law requires automakers to notify federal safety regulators within five business days of identifying a potential safety defect in vehicles. Federal officials allege Toyota officials were aware of the potential problem with gas pedals no later than Sept. 29, 2009, when company officials sent documents detailing the problem and how to fix it to dealerships in Europe and Canada, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Federal officials say the documents indicate Toyota officials were aware the problem existed in the United States, as well.
Although the $16.38 million fine for the faulty gas pedal problem is the maximum amount federal officials can levy for a single violation, other fines might be levied for other Toyota’s handling of other vehicle safety issues that were part of the automaker’s recent, massive recall efforts.
Officials for the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration recently said they have received complaints of at least 52 deaths caused by sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles since 2000. Toyota Motor Corporation officials recently recalled nearly 10 million vehicles worldwide to correct problems with vehicles suddenly accelerating and other problems.
Report: Auto Insurers to Seek Reimbursement from Toyota
April 20, 2010 – Auto insurance providers who have paid out claims caused by recalled Toyota vehicles likely will be reimbursed by the automaker, and some vehicle owners might get a refund on deductibles, the Associated Press reported today.
Several of the largest auto insurance companies in the United States are looking over prior auto insurance claims involving Toyota Motor Corporation vehicles accelerating out of control, including Allstate, Geico and State Farm, according to the Associated Press report. Toyota officials recently recalled more than 9 million vehicles for various problems, including sudden acceleration, braking problems and problems with traction control systems on various vehicles.
The subrogation clause of insurance contracts give insurance companies the right to pursue legal remedies after paying insurance claims. The auto insurers can recoup damages arising from claims paid due to faulty Toyota vehicles, but policyholders would be entitled to at least a partial reimbursement of deductible amounts paid, the Associated Press reported.
The potential disbursements to auto insurance companies is just one of many financial troubles Toyota faces over its recent vehicle recall efforts.
Toyota officials yesterday agreed to pay a $16.38 million federal fine regarding its handling of vehicle defects. And dozens of class action lawsuits have been filed regarding the recently falling values of used Toyota vehicles totaling a potential $3 billion in liabilities for the world’s largest automaker. The class action suits are in addition to existing lawsuits for legal liability in the dozens of accidents and deaths attributed to faulty Toyota vehicles in recent years.
Attorneys representing disgruntled Toyota owners are accusing company officials of deliberately ignoring reports of safety and mechanical issues with various models. The plaintiffs contend delays in correcting known problems have accelerated the loss of value for recalled Toyota models, according to the litigants. Attorneys cited recent devaluations of popular Toyota Corolla and Sequoia models, which Kelley Blue Book officials recently depreciated by up to $750 in light of the recall efforts, the Associated Press reported.
Officials for the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration recently said they have received complaints of at least 52 deaths caused by sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles since 2000. Toyota Motor Corporation officials recently recalled nearly 10 million vehicles worldwide to correct problems with vehicles suddenly accelerating and other problems.
The first vehicle recall issued last year was to fix floor mat problems blamed for causing some vehicles to accelerate suddenly. When that fix failed to fully address safety issues, Toyota issued another recall of several popular models, including the Camry and Corolla, to replace gas pedals in millions more vehicles in China, Europe and North America. And Toyota officials last week issued yet another recall, this time for the automaker’s popular Prius hybrid and other hybrid vehicles for braking problems blamed on faulty software programming.
The latest recall comes in addition to the about 9 million vehicles across eight model lines Toyota officials have recalled already worldwide – including about 2.3 million vehicles in the United States. The Japanese automaker has recalled all Camry models manufactured from 2007 to 2010 as well as 2009 through current-year models Corolla, Matrix and the RAV4. Also recalled are the 2005 through 2010 Avalon, the 2008 through 2010 Sequoia and the 2010 Highlander. The recall covers about 9 million vehicles sold in North America, China and Europe.
Toyota officials say the combined recall efforts could cost the company about $2 billion. Toyota is the world’s largest manufacturer of automobiles and recently overtook bankrupted General Motors as the auto industry’s top seller.
Toyota Agrees to $16.38 Million Fine; Recalls More Vehicles
April 19, 2010 – Officials for the Toyota Motor Corporation today agreed to pay a $16.38 million federal fine without admitting fault regarding the automaker’s recent handling of safety issues that eventually spurred a massive, ongoing global vehicle recall.
Officials for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last month announced they are seeking a $16.38 million penalty to be paid by Toyota for allegedly delaying by at least four months any effort to notify the federal highway safety administration of known safety issues with several popular vehicle models. Officials for Toyota eventually recalled some 2.3 million vehicles in the United States in January to replace their gas pedals and ensure they cannot become “stuck” and cause a vehicle to accelerate out of control. The $16.38 million fine is the single largest ever levied on an automaker by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Although Toyota officials agreed to pay the fine, they did not admit any fault in the matter and today announced yet another vehicle recall – this time for some 9,400 Lexus GX 460 SUVs manufactured this year and 600,000 of the company’s two-wheel-drive Sienna minivans manufactured from 1998 to 2010. The Lexus GX 460 recall was issued in the wake of a recent Consumer Reports’ assessment placing a “do not buy” recommendation after independent tests revealed potential problems with the vehicle’s stability-control system.
Toyota officials likely acted quickly on the stability-control problem with the Lexus GX460 after being accused of delaying recalls of known problems with other vehicles, which resulted in the $16.38 million fine after federal officials found evidence Toyota officials knew of the potential safety problem months before notifying federal law officials, per U.S. law.
“We now have proof that Toyota failed to live up to its legal obligations. Worse yet, they knowingly hid a dangerous defect for months from U.S. officials and did not take action to protect millions of drivers and their families. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said when announcing the record $16.38 million fine last month.
Federal law requires automakers to notify federal safety regulators within five business days of identifying a potential safety defect in vehicles. Federal officials allege Toyota officials were aware of the potential problem with gas pedals no later than Sept. 29, 2009, when company officials sent documents detailing the problem and how to fix it to dealerships in Europe and Canada, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Federal officials say the documents indicate Toyota officials were aware the problem existed in the United States, as well.
Although the $16.38 million fine for the faulty gas pedal problem is the maximum amount federal officials can levy for a single violation, other fines might be levied for other Toyota’s handling of other vehicle safety issues that were part of the automaker’s recent, massive recall efforts.
Officials for the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration recently said they have received complaints of at least 52 deaths caused by sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles since 2000. Toyota Motor Corporation officials recently recalled nearly 10 million vehicles worldwide to correct problems with vehicles suddenly accelerating and other problems.
Feds Recommend $16 Million Fine for Toyota
April 6, 2010 – Federal officials are recommending a more than $16 million fine be levied on the Toyota Motor Corporation for not notifying federal highway safety regulators about potential safety issues with millions vehicles until months after becoming aware of a problem with accelerator pedals.
Officials for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this week announced they are seeking a $16.38 million penalty to be paid by Toyota for allegedly delaying by at least four months any effort to notify the federal highway safety administration. Officials for Toyota eventually recalled some 2.3 million vehicles in the United States in January to replace their gas pedals and ensure they cannot become “stuck” and cause a vehicle to accelerate out of control. If the penalty is assessed, the $16.38 million would be the single largest fine levied on an automaker by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The announcement of the proposed fine comes after federal officials found evidence Toyota officials knew of the potential safety problem months before notifying federal law officials, per U.S. law.
“We now have proof that Toyota failed to live up to its legal obligations,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Worse yet, they knowingly hid a dangerous defect for months from U.S. officials and did not take action to protect millions of drivers and their families. For those reasons, we are seeking the maximum penalty possible under current laws.”
Federal law requires automakers to notify federal safety regulators within five business days of identifying a potential safety defect in vehicles. Federal officials allege Toyota officials were aware of the potential problem with gas pedals no later than Sept. 29, 2009, when company officials sent documents detailing the problem and how to fix it to dealerships in Europe and Canada, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Federal officials say the documents indicate Toyota officials were aware the problem existed in the United States, as well.
Although the $16.38 million fine for the faulty gas pedal problem is the maximum amount federal officials can levy for a single violation, other fines might be levied for other Toyota’s handling of other vehicle safety issues that were part of the automaker’s recent, massive recall efforts.
Officials for the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration recently said they have received complaints of at least 52 deaths caused by sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles since 2000. Toyota Motor Corporation officials recently recalled nearly 10 million vehicles worldwide to correct problems with vehicles suddenly accelerating and other problems.
The first vehicle recall issued last year was to fix floor mat problems blamed for causing some vehicles to accelerate suddenly. When that fix failed to fully address safety issues, Toyota issued another recall of several popular models, including the Camry and Corolla, to replace gas pedals in millions more vehicles in China, Europe and North America. Toyota officials later issued a recall for the automaker’s popular Prius hybrid and other hybrid vehicles for braking problems blamed on faulty software programming.
The latest recall comes in addition to the about 9 million vehicles across eight model lines Toyota officials have recalled already worldwide – including about 2.3 million vehicles in the United States. The Japanese automaker has recalled all Camry models manufactured from 2007 to 2010 as well as 2009 through current-year models Corolla, Matrix and the RAV4. Also recalled are the 2005 through 2010 Avalon, the 2008 through 2010 Sequoia and the 2010 Highlander. The recall covers about 9 million vehicles sold in North America, China and Europe.
The automaker also recalled another 437,000 hybrid vehicles due to braking problems, including its popular Prius hybrid model, the Lexus HS259h hybrid sedan and the Sai hybrid compact sedan. Company officials say a simple software fix will eliminate potential braking problems when the vehicles are driven over uneven terrain and take about 40 minutes to complete at local Toyota dealerships. Owners have complained of vehicle braking systems not operating properly when driving over speed bumps and other uneven surfaces.
Toyota officials say the combined recall efforts could cost the company about $2 billion. Toyota is the world’s largest manufacturer of automobiles and recently overtook bankrupted General Motors as the auto industry’s top-seller.
Toyota President Apologizes, Announces 6-Point Plan
Feb. 5, 2010 – The president of the Toyota Motor Corporation today apologized for the auto manufacturer’s recent safety problems and promised to implement stronger quality control standards during the manufacturing process after recalling 2.3 million vehicles in the United States and 9 million worldwide.
“I deeply regret the inconvenience and concern caused to our customers and others by our recent recalls of multiple vehicle models across multiple regions,” Toyota President Akio Toyoda said during a new conference in Nagoya, Japan. “Under the banner, ‘Let’s build better cars,’ we will go back to the basics of ‘customer first.’ All our employees around the world, all of our dealers and all of our suppliers will unify in their utmost efforts to regain the trust of our customers as soon as possible.”
Having recently displaced General Motors as the world’s number one auto-manufacturer, Toyota officials have come under fire in recent weeks for taking their time in correcting known problems on several popular vehicle lines.
Problems with sticking gas pedals forced the Japanese automaker to recall all Camry models manufactured from 2007 to 2010 as well as 2009 through current-year models Corolla, Matrix and the RAV4. Also recalled are the 2005 through 2010 Avalon, the 2008 through 2010 Sequoia and the 2010 Highlander. The recall covers about 9 million vehicles sold in North America, China and Europe. Auto industry analysts estimate Toyota will spend about $250 million to correct just the 2.3 million vehicles recalled in the United States.
Another recall could be issued for the popular Toyota Prius hybrid car, which has been plagued with braking problems.
Officials for the U.S. National Highway Traffic Highway and Safety Administration recently opened an investigation into the high number of complaints received regarding braking issues with the Toyota Prius. Federal officials said say combining all the complaints they have received on all eight recalled 2010 Toyota models wouldn’t amount to half of the 171 complaints already received on the 2010 Toyota Prius. Some 124 of the complaints about the Prius focus on similar braking issues. By comparison, Toyota recalled its Corolla model, which only had 33 complaints thus far in 2010.
In light of the apparent manufacturing problems afflicting the automaker, Toyoda today announced a 6-point plan to improve the manufacturing process and ensure the safety of Toyota owners and their families. Toyoda said he will lead a special company task force focused on improving manufacturing quality through greater oversight, improving communication with customers to identify problems sooner and establishing an “Automotive Center of Quality Excellence” to enhance management oversight of quality-control issues.
Toyota Prius Might Join List of Recalled Vehicles
Feb. 4, 2010 – Already dealing with an extensive recall of 2.3 million vehicles in the United States and 9 million worldwide, problems with the popular Toyota Prius hybrid car might force yet another round of recalls for the Japanese auto maker.
Officials for the U.S. National Highway Traffic Highway and Safety Administration recently opened an investigation into the high number of complaints received regarding braking issues with the Toyota Prius, which is not among the eight models and 9 million vehicles worldwide the auto manufacturer recently recalled due to problems with the gas pedal sticking and causing sudden acceleration.
Federal officials said say combining all the complaints received on all eight recalled 2010 Toyota models wouldn’t amount to half of the 171 complaints already received on the 2010 Toyota Prius. Some 124 of the complaints about the Prius focus on similar braking issues. By comparison, Toyota recalled its Corolla model, which only had 33 complaints thus far in 2010.
Because Toyota officials apparently haven’t taken seriously consumer safety concerns with the popular Prius hybrid, federal officials announced the investigation into the matter this week. Officials for the Japanese government already have ordered Toyota officials to look into the matter, which reportedly can be fixed with a change in software programming. Toyota officials say no accidents have been caused by the braking problem in the Prius, but U.S. officials said it is responsible for causing four non-injury accidents.
Toyota officials earlier recalled several popular vehicles models for problems with the gas pedal, claiming a floor mat could cause the accelerator to stick. But the company expanded the recall when the initial fix failed to fully address problems with its popular Camry sedan and other models.
Toyota officials said the floor mats in some vehicles have caused a small number of accelerators on various models to become stuck while driving, but the problem has occurred only rarely and never suddenly. Toyota’s U.S.-based parts supplier has redesigned the accelerator pedal to remedy the problem, and Toyota is sending out consumer product recalls in batches of 10,000 to address the matter.
The Japanese automaker has recalled all Camry models manufactured from 2007 to 2010 as well as 2009 through current-year models Corolla, Matrix and the RAV4. Also recalled are the 2005 through 2010 Avalon, the 2008 through 2010 Sequoia and the 2010 Highlander. The recall covers about 9 million vehicles sold in North America, China and Europe. Toyota also has halted manufacturing new models until the matter is resolved.
Auto industry analysts estimate Toyota will spend about $250 million to correct just the 2.3 million vehicles recalled in the United States. Toyota is the world’s largest manufacturer of automobiles and recently overtook bankrupted General Motors as the auto industry’s top sellers.