In August 2014, Toyota received customer complaints of fuel odor after turning off the engine on certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles. An inspection of the fuel system found fuel dripping from the end cap of the delivery pipe on the engine due to insufficient welding of the cap. An on site investigation of the supplier found that the cooling air hose for the manufacturing jig used during the welding process was disconnected because of routine maintenance, resulting in an insufficient weld. In this condition, fuel could leak from the fuel delivery pipe and in the presence of an ignition source could increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Continue reading
Category Archives: Toyota
Takata Airbag Defect Affects Many Manufacturers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging owners of certain BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota vehicles to take immediate action and replace defective Takata airbags. Vehicle owners receiving regional recalls are especially urged to get the problem taken care of, as consistent hot and humid conditions are suspect to intensify the problem. These areas include: Florida, Puerto Rico, areas in Texas near the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Guam, as well as Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Virgin Islands and Hawaii. Continue reading
2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser Difficult Steering
After completing an investigation into difficult steering in certain 2014 FJ Cruiser‘s, Toyota has found a problem that will have owners returning their vehicles to a manufacturer approved repair facility for repairs.
According to reports filed with the NHTSA, these vehicles are equipped with an optional “Trail Teams Ultimate Edition” package in which the front shock absorbers and springs are replaced with more robust off road suspension parts. In some of these vehicles, the two bolts which secure the front lower ball joint to the steering knuckle might have been tightened with insufficient torque . The bolts could loosen and fall out, resulting in the front lower ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle. Drivers could experience complete loss of steering control and an increased chance of an accident. Continue reading
Toyota Tacoma Leaf Spring Defect
A defective leaf spring in the rear suspension of certain 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma‘s will have 700,000 vehicle owners returning their trucks for repairs. The NHTSA has received over two dozen complaints, with the first going back to 2009. The trucks affected include four wheel drive and Pre-Runner versions of the Tacoma truck. Continue reading
2013-2014 Toyota Tundra Wheel Vibrations
Owners of some 2013–2014 Toyota Tundra trucks equipped with a combination of non-Toyota alloy wheels and chrome plated lug nuts could experience steering vibrations and clunking noises from the wheel area. The vehicles affected were fitted with twenty inch wheel packages installed by Gulf States Toyota, Inc. Continue reading
2013 Toyota Prius Lemon Law Buyback For Multiple Defects
The Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, P.C. were recently contacted by a 2013 Toyota Prius owner who was experiencing repeated problems with her vehicle. The EV had been in for repairs on three (3) separate occasions, was out of service in the hands of the manufacturer for more that 62 days, and the problems were still not fixed. She had complained to the Toyota dealer on many occasions about issues which included defective:
- Vehicle Paint
- Windshield (etched Spots/Distortion)
- Back Glass
- Right Rear Quarter Glass
- Driver’s Side Window
- Right Rear Window
- Spoiler
Toyota Illuminating Airbag Warning Lights
Drivers of certain Toyota and Pontiac vehicles could experience an airbag safety defect that could result in the airbag becoming inoperable. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the steering column in these vehicles contain a spiral cable assembly which contains the electrical connections to the driver’s airbag module. When the steering wheel is turned, the cable could contact a small point of the retainer and become damaged. The airbag could become deactivated causing it not to deploy during an accident. Drivers of vehicles experiencing this problem will be alerted with an air bag warning lamp. Continue reading
Toyota Unintended Acceleration Settlement Reached With DOJ
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Toyota have come to a $1.2 billion settlement agreement that will end a four year investigation into the inadvertent acceleration of certain Toyota vehicles. During a new conference on Wednesday, Attorney General Eric Holder criticized the automobile manufacturer for misleading consumers through statements regarding the two issues that caused sudden acceleration in certain models. Continue reading
