The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have opened up a defect investigation into 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) after receiving 32 complaints of stalling engines. None of the incidents resulted in an accident, but many complained that the vehicle could not be restarted and had to be towed to the dealership. The NHTSA have carried out several investigations into stalling engines of different vehicles and manufacturers over the years, many of which have led to recalls.
Category Archives: Toyota
The 2011 Detroit Auto Show
Detroit’s showcase of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is one of North America’s most prestigious auto exhibitions. Besides being home to the “Big Three” (the three major American automotive companies: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler ), the show serves as a locale for international automakers to show off their most innovative designs and give consumers the experience of North America’s largest and most prestigious automotive showcase. This year’s show is expected to see over 30 all new reveals of the 500 vehicles on display.
Toyota plans to capitalize on their green image as they launch three new Prius models in an attempt to shift public attention to their innovative new products. There will be many other electric and hybrid vehicles as consumers move toward more efficient and zero emission modes of transportation. Ford will introduce their new Focus electric vehicle as well as their Ford Explorer, North American truck of the year. GM’s Chevrolet Volt, named North American car of the year will also be there.
Experience the next generation of transportation at the 2011 North American International Auto Show at the Cobo Conference and Exhibition Center . Doors will be open to the general public: Saturday, January 15 to Saturday January 22, 9 am – 10 pm and on Sunday, January 23, 9 am to 7 pm.
Consumer Reports Top Automobile Picks For 2010
Consumer Reports (CR) is an American magazine published by Consumers Union since 1936. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory. Consumer Reports does not print outside advertising, accept free product samples, or permit the commercial use of its reviews for selling products. Its publisher states that this policy allows the magazine to “maintain their independence and impartiality… so that CR has no agenda other than the interests of consumers.
Every year, CR publishes their top ten automobiles in ten different categories. The choices are based on performance, reliability and safety. Below are Consumers Reports picks for the 2010 year.
Family Sedan
Nissan Altima:
The Nissan Altima has always been a popular choice as a family sedan. It’s roomy interior and comfortable ride makes the car an enjoyable drive. The 2010 version of this car offers improved looks, standard electronic stability control (ESC) and the best fuel economy in its class.
Small Sedan
Hyundai Elantra SE:
Hyundai safety and reliability has come a long way and has made Consumer Reports top picks for the third time. The Elantra SE, offers a comfortable ride, good fuel economy and plenty of features for the price. The SE comes with standard ESC that is often not offered on similar competitors vehicles.
Sporty Car
Volkswagen GTI:
The 2010 Volkswagen GTI is a sporty version of the Golf. It offers excellent handling and acceleration and is a comfortable car to drive. The interior is tastefully finished with plenty of cargo space, especially with the hatchback model. Like all Volkswagen’s, the GTI offers a respectable fuel economy.
Small SUV
Subaru Forester:
The Subaru Forester has been labeled as the SUV that offers the most car like driving experience. It offers a comfortable ride with plenty of room and excellent visibility. The Forester offers excellent reliability and an impressive gas mileage for an SUV.
Best Overall Car
Lexus LS 460L:
Lexus has always pampered it’s customers with a luxurious driving experience. The LS 460L is no exception with it’s well crafted, roomy and quiet interior. Though the price is a bit higher than some of the vehicles in its class, if you can afford it, it is well worth it.
Family SUV
Chevrolet Traverse:
Overall, the Traverse stands out as a family SUV. It is comfortable and responsive, and allows up to eight adults seated comfortably as well as room for cargo. Visibility is not the best for this SUV, taking into account the size of it, but Chevy offers convex side mirrors and an optional rear view camera to help.
Sports Sedan
Infiniti G37:
The Infiniti G sedans are one of the highest rated sedans tested by Consumer Reports. Excellent handling, acceleration and comfort make this luxurious vehicle a pleasure to drive. Because it is a sports sedan, space and storage are compromised.
Family Hauler
Mazda5:
The Mazda5 offers a lot in a compact and affordable microvan. It offers the convenience of a minivan with the maneuverability and fuel economy of a wagon. The addition of standard ESC for 2010 makes this minivan safer and fun to drive.
Green Car
Toyota Prius:
The Toyota Prius was one to the first green cars manufactured for the public. Its overall mileage has made it the green car pick for the seventh straight year. It is a comfortable car to drive, and its 2010 redesign makes it even more appealing. Toyota has also added a dedicated EV that allows it to run longer on electric power at low speeds.
Pickup Truck
Chevrolet Silverado 1500:
This well rounded pickup offers a roomy cabin, an exellent payload capacity and a decent ride for a pickup. It is an excellent 4WD family vehicle offering a quality interior on higher end models.
Toyota Recall For Brakes In 2011 Sienna
Toyota has announced a recall for almost 95,000 2011 Sienna minivans to replace the brake light switch bracket. Toyota informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that Sienna vehicles built between December 2009 and November 2010 could experience a deformed brake light switch bracket due to the close proximity of the parking brake to the bracket. When the parking brake is engaged, the driver’s foot may come in contact and deform the stop lamp switch bracket. The deformation could result in brake drag and reduced braking. Depending on the amount of stop lamp switch bracket deformation, drivers may notice the rear brake lights remaining “ON” and/or the brakes remaining slightly applied, resulting in brake drag with associated brake noise, brake vibration, and/or illumination of the brake warning light.
Owners will be notified of the problem by mail starting mid January. This notification will instruct owners on what to do if they experience the problem and how to minimize it. A secondary recall notice will be issued in February once replacement parts become available. For more information customers can go to www.toyota.com/recall or call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota To Fix Coolant Pumps In Prius
Toyota has announced that it will repair almost 380,000 2004-2007 Prius models in the United States for coolant pump problems. There have been no reports of injuries or accidents related to the problem, but complaints of power loss has lead the company to fix the minor repair without issuing a recall. A Toyota spokesperson explained that air bubbles entering the system through the pump reduces the efficiency of the cooling system. When the pump malfunctions, the car’s hybrid system switches off to prevent overheating and the vehicle’s regular gasoline engine takes over. Overheating of the vehicle could activate a warning light on the dashboard, and a significant loss of power will be noticed. Toyota said it would begin notifying owners of the Prius repair campaign in the United States in early December.
Camry Accident In Utah Questions Toyota Recall Fix
A recent car accident in western Utah is making government official and safety advocate groups question the repairs done to Toyota vehicles recalled because of unintended acceleration. Two people were killed and two injured when a 2008 Toyota Camry sped out of control and crashed into a rock wall. The vehicle was believed to have experienced unintended acceleration even though the owner of the Camry was said to have had the vehicle repaired by Toyota for unintended acceleration.
Based on statements from witnesses and those that survived the crash inside the car, investigators are led to believe that the pedal was stuck, according to Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Todd Johnson. Tire skid marks showed that the Camry’s driver tried to stop the vehicle as it exited Interstate 80. The car ended up going through a stop sign at the bottom of the ramp and through an intersection before hitting the wall.
LA Auto Show Speeds Into The Electric Car Era
The sales of electric cars may not be doing as well as first hoped, but the displays at this years Los Angeles Auto Show hopes to change that. GM’s Chevrolet Volt, the 2011 Green Car of the Year, is one of several displays that hope to spark interest in the sales of green cars. The Volts rival, the Nissan leaf, along with Tesla’s Toyota RAV4 EV, the Fisker Karma, the Mitsubishi I-MiEV, and every other car maker’s electric or hybrid car will be there vying for the green consumers interest.
This year’s show will feature a record of debuts with fifty new vehicles unveiled on press day. This year’s show features more elaborate and interactive exhibits and more manufacturers, making it one of the most dynamic LA Auto Shows in years. The annual event, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center and will be open to the public November 19-28.
Dealing With Death Wobble
“Death Wobble” is a situation where the front axle of a vehicle oscillates out of control making the vehicle difficult to handle. The above video shows just how scary and potentially deadly the situation can be. While the majority of complaints of death wobble come from Jeep owners, the problem has also been reported in Toyota, Ford, and Dodge vehicles as well.
Death Wobble is extremely difficult to diagnose and fix, because it could be caused by a combination of parts in the steering and suspension systems and may not be the same for every vehicle. Every time you experience a death wobble episode, more parts may be damaged. Fixing the problem can become very expensive and if it is not fixed right away, can be dangerous.
If you have experienced death wobble in your Jeep, Toyota, Ford or Dodge vehicle and your mechanic or dealership is unable to fix the problem, you may be entitled to your money back or a new vehicle under California’s Lemon Laws.
The California Lemon Law Offices of Delsack & Associates is recognized as one of California’s best and oldest lemon law firms. We have a nearly 100% success rate of the California Lemon Law cases we accept, and offer statewide services so that wherever you live in California you can put our 22 years of experience to work for you.
If you are in California call our Lemon Law Offices:
Anywhere in California (free call): 1.888.ExLemon (395.3666)
- California Lemon Law in Los Angeles: 310-475-1700
- California Lemon Law in San Francisco: 415-285-5366
- California Lemon Law in San Diego: 619-229-6900
- California Lemon Law in Orange County: 949-856-4333
- California Lemon Law in Palm Springs: 760-395-1000
- California Lemon Law in San Fernando Valley: 818-837-0500
