An recent investigation into side curtain airbags not deploying properly in some Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Accura, and Subaru vehicles has the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concerned about how wide spread the problem could be. The investigation started after Swedish automobile parts manufacturer, Autoliv, reported that one of their airbags failed to deploy under cold weather conditions as a result of the wrong mixture of inflation gasses being used. The company also manufactures airbags for General Motors and Ford, but say that a different design is used. Approximately 11,000 of the potentially defective parts have been shipped to various manufacturers, and concerns over the problem has already lead to the recall of several vehicle models. The recall includes:
Tag Archives: Toyota
Toyota Tacoma Airbag Problem
Toyota will be recalling certain 2005-2009 Tacoma pickup trucks manufactured between September 2004 to August 2008. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vibrations in the steering wheel could damage the spiral cable assembly (clock spring) that powers the driver’s air bag module. The damage could cause the air bag warning lamp to illuminate and the air bag could become deactivated. During an accident, the air bag may not deploy leaving the driver unprotected. Toyota will notify owners and dealers of the problem starting in early April, and will replace the spiral cable assembly free of charge. Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Brake Light Defect
Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Camry sedans and 2009-2011 Venza mid size crossover SUV (CUV) vehicles over a manufacturing defect that could leave drivers with inoperative brake lights. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), silicon grease may have gotten on the contacts of the stop lamp switch increasing the resistance of the switch. This problem with the brake lights could lead to a no start condition, and the driver may not be able to shift out of the “park” position. Toyota will be notifying and replacing the stop lamp switch starting in April. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Investigates GM Door Fires
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating certain GM vehicles after receiving twelve complaints of smoke and fire from the inside of doors of some Trail Blazer mid-size sport utility vehicles. The complaints are similar to consumer reports that lead the NHTSA to open an investigation into some 2007 Camry, Camry Solara and Rav4 vehicles, earlier this month. The NHTSA will be focusing on whether window switches on the GM and Toyota vehicles were manufactured by the same supplier. The investigation could affect up to 310,000, 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazers. According to the safety administration, the Buick Rainer, Saab 9-7x, and the GMC Envoy share the same parts at the Trail Blazer, but these vehicle are not part of the investigation yet
NHTSA Investigates Toyota Fires
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into possible fire hazards in some 2007 Camry, Camry Solara and Rav4 vehicles. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, owners experienced a burning odor, and eventually flames coming from inside the doors. The problem is suspected to be caused by a malfunctioning power window master switch control. If the investigation leads to a recall, almost 830,000 vehicles could be affected.
Toyota RAV4 Airbags May Not Deploy
Toyota is recalling certain 2011 RAV4 vehicles for airbags that may not deploy properly during an accident. According to the recall filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), propellant with the incorrect specification may have been used in the initiator inflator, causing one or both curtain shield airbags to not deploy. Toyota will be notifying customers and will inspect and replace the curtain shield assemblies as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the recall can contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. The recall is expected to begin in early March 2012.
Toyota and BMW Share Technology
An agreement between BMW and Toyota, will have the two automobile makers collaborating on environmentally sustainable technology in the auto industry. BMW will supply Toyota with 1.6 and 2.0 liter engines for their struggling European line, and both companies will work together to develop car battery technology for electric and hybrid vehicles. The alliance will increase efficiency, reduce costs, and allow vehicles to be brought to market more quickly. Because BMW and Toyota operate in different segments of the market, it is unlikely they will encountering competitive conflicts.
Toyota To Replace Crankshaft Pulley
Toyota will be recalling over 400,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles with V6 engines, to replace the crankshaft pulley. In a report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Toyota said that there is a possibility that the outer ring of the crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring. If the problem is not fixed, the power steering pump may become detached making it difficult for the driver to steer. Notifications will be sent out starting in January, but if drivers start hearing abnormal noises from the engine compartment or experience illumination of the discharge warning light, they should immediately have their vehicle inspected by a Toyota or Lexus dealer. The vehicles involved in this recall include:
- 2004 Toyota Avalon
- 2004-2005 Toyota Camry
- 2004-2005 Toyota Highlander
- 2004-2005 Toyota Sienna
- 2004-2005 Toyota Solara
- 2004-2005 Lexus ES330
- 2004-2005 Lexus RX330
- 2006 Toyota Highlander HV
- 2006 Lexus RX400H
For more information on the recall, Toyota owners can go to www.toyota.com/recall or call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. Lexus owners can go to www.lexus.com/recall or call the Lexus Customer Satisfaction Center at 1 800-255-3987.
