Toyota recalling 1.53 million cars globally

[Drew Dowdell]

Toyota recalling 1.53 million cars globally

Malcolm Foster / Associated Press

Tokyo— Toyota is recalling 1.53 million Lexus, Avalon and other models, mostly in the U.S. and Japan, for brake fluid and fuel pump problems, the latest in a string of quality problems for the world's No. 1 automaker.

Toyota Motor Corp. said today it will call back for repairs about 740,000 cars in the U.S. and 599,000 in Japan. The remainder are in Europe and other markets around the world.

Over the past year, Toyota has recalled more than 10 million cars and trucks worldwide for a variety of problems, from faulty gas pedals and floor mats that can trap accelerators, to braking problems in its Prius hybrid. In August, Toyota called back 1.33 million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks in the U.S. and Canada because their engines may stall.

The majority of vehicles this time around need to be fixed for a problem with the brake master cylinder, which could lead to weaker braking power, said spokesman Paul Nolasco in Tokyo.

Some models in Japan and elsewhere — but not in North America — have an electrical problem with the fuel pump, which could lead the engine to stall, Nolasco said.

No accidents have been reported from the two defects, he said.

Ryuichi Saito, auto analyst with Mizuho Investors Securities in Tokyo, said the latest recalls are coming on top of more recalls that came from earlier this year and so they won't have that much of an impact.

"There have been various recalls for some time," he said. "So one more isn't going to mean anything."

But he said Toyota may have learned a lesson from earlier this year, when it harsh criticism, particularly in the U.S., for dragging its feet on safety problems and recalls. American regulators hit Toyota with a $16.4 million fine for failing to promptly tell the government about its car defects.

The automaker has been working to overhaul its quality controls and respond more aggressively to customer complaints in the fallout from its recall crisis.

"Toyota's image suffered because it was slow, and so it is trying to be quick with its response," Saito said.

The models affected by the latest recall in the U.S. include the 2005 and 2006 Avalon, 2004 through 2006 non-hybrid Highlander and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350 vehicles, the company said in a release from its U.S. headquarters in Torrance, California.

The release said a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.

Toyota will notify owners around the world by mail to come for repairs at no charge, Nolasco said.

The models affected in Japan include the Crown, Crown Majesta, Harrier, Mark X, Alphard, Kluger, Lexus GS350, Lexus IS250, and Lexus IS350. The production date of the models ranges from May 2002 to November 2005.

Two models in Japan — the Lexus GS350 and the Crown — are affected by both problems.

In Japan, Toyota's image has taken less of a beating. And despite the safety woes, the Prius has been Japan's top-selling model this year.

From January through August, Toyota has sold 5.6 million vehicles globally, up 13 percent from a year ago.

From The Detroit News: Toyota recalling 1.53 million cars globally

Recalled in 2010: 10 million plus

Sold in 2010: 5.6 million

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Ryuichi Saito,"There have been various recalls for some time," he said. "So one more isn't going to mean anything."

"Toyota's image suffered because it was slow, and so it is trying to be quick with its response," Saito said.

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Toyota recalls 740,000 vehicles in U.S.

2004-06s may leak brake fluid

By GREG GARDNER

Free Press Business Writer

Just two weeks after trumpeting progress on repairs of sticky gas pedals and out-of-place floor mats, Toyota is recalling 740,000 vehicles in the U.S. that may leak brake fluid.

The brake fluid recall covers 2004-06 Avalons, non-hybrid Highlanders and Lexus RX330, GS300, IS250 and IS350 models.

The automaker is also recalling 599,000 vehicles in Japan and about 200,000 in Europe and other regions because of an electrical problem with the fuel pump that could cause a vehicle to stall.

Honda also recalled an unspecified number of 2005-07 Acura RL sedans and Honda Odyssey minivans for a similar brake fluid problem.

Both Japanese automakers said there have been no injuries or accidents tied to the problem.

Toyota said its factory-installed brake fluid contains polymers that lubricate brake components. If an owner uses a different type of fluid with less of the polymers, a rubber seal in the master cylinder may dry or curl thus creating the possibility of a leak. Drivers could experience a spongy or soft brake pedal feel.

Over the past year, Toyota has recalled more than 10 million cars and trucks worldwide for a variety of problems, from faulty gas pedals and floor mats that can trap accelerators, to braking problems in its Prius hybrid. In August, Toyota recalled 1.33million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks in the U.S. and Canada because their engines may stall.

Earlier this month in a conference call with reporters, Steve St. Angelo, Toyota's chief quality officer for North America, said the company is trying to detect problems sooner and recall vehicles before regulators raise the issue.

"Toyota is now living in a world where they have to go above and beyond in putting safety first. By doing that, they can protect their brand," said Mike Rozembajgier, vice president of ExpertRecall, an Indianapolis consulting firm.

Once the industry quality benchmark, Toyota has recalled more vehicles in the U.S. than any competitor has over the last year. Earlier this year, Toyota paid a $16.4-million fine as a result of what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration argued was a failure to report the problems to government regulators in a timely manner.

Reports of sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles were linked to about 90 deaths.

Through the first nine months of 2010, Toyota's share of the U.S. market has slipped to 15.2%, from 16.6% a year earlier.

"They had a stellar reputation for many years for durability and reliability, but now we're seeing cracks in the foundation that developed as they quickly grew market share," said Sean Kane, a safety consultant in Rehoboth, Mass.

Experts from the National Academy of Sciences and NASA are conducting a broader investigation of Toyota's electronic vehicle control technology at the request of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. They are expected to report their findings before the end of this year.

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