Toyota’s recall woes continue to mount as the company announces its fourth recall in just six days, this time affecting about 381,000 Tacoma midsize pickup trucks. The latest recall, aimed at addressing potential rear axle issues, adds to the growing list of concerns for Tacoma owners and highlights the importance of vehicle safety.
The Problem: Rear Axle Defects
The issue at hand involves certain 2022 to 2023 Toyota Tacoma trucks sold in the United States. According to Toyota, welding debris left on the ends of the rear axle assembly during manufacturing could cause retaining nuts to loosen over time. If these nuts fall off, a part could separate from the axle, affecting the stability and brake performance of the vehicle and, consequently, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota’s Response
Owners of the recalled trucks can expect to receive notification through the mail by late April. Toyota dealers will inspect the rear axle assembly and tighten the axle retaining nuts at no cost to the owners. If any axle components are found to be damaged as a result of the issue, they will be repaired or replaced by Toyota.
How to Check If Your Vehicle Is Affected
For Tacoma owners concerned about whether their vehicle is involved in this safety recall, Toyota advises visiting Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information. Additionally, motorists with questions can reach out to Toyota customer support at 1-800-331-4331.
A String of Recalls
This latest recall comes on the heels of three separate recalls last week, collectively involving 303,000 vehicles. One of the issues addressed in those recalls was a software glitch that delays the rearview image from displaying quickly after the driver shifts into reverse.
Final Thoughts
As Toyota navigates through this series of recalls, it’s crucial for Tacoma owners to stay informed and take the necessary steps to ensure their vehicle’s safety. If you’re affected by this recall, don’t hesitate to contact Toyota customer support or visit their website for more information. The safety of you and your passengers should always be a top priority.
Toyota Motor Credit, the financing arm of Toyota Motor Corporation, faces a hefty fine and a directive to amend its business practices. This decision comes after an investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which revealed a series of violations in the company’s handling of bundled product sales in its auto-financing operations. The details of this development were reported by Autoblog.
The Allegations and Findings
Toyota Motor Credit was found to have engaged in several deceptive practices:
Deceptive Sales of Bundled Products: The company sold additional products like GAP and CLAH as part of car loan contracts, often misleading customers about their necessity and making it difficult to cancel these services. These practices led to inflated loan amounts and monthly payments for consumers.
Hindering Cancellation and Refunding: Toyota created significant barriers for customers attempting to cancel these services. Additionally, it frequently failed to issue proper refunds for those who managed to cancel, and in some cases, provided inaccurate refund amounts.
Misreporting to Credit Agencies: The company falsely reported customer delinquencies to credit reporting companies, damaging customers’ credit scores and failing to rectify known errors in reporting.
CFPB’s Response and Directive
The CFPB has ordered Toyota Motor Credit to:
Compensate nearly $48 million to affected consumers.
Pay a $12 million fine into the CFPB’s victims relief fund.
Cease its unlawful practices and streamline the process for canceling these added services.
Implement measures to prevent deceptive imposition of these products in the future.
Broader Implications
This case underscores the critical need for ethical practices in auto financing and the importance of consumer protection in the industry. The order against Toyota Motor Credit, a significant player in the U.S. auto-financing market, signals a stern warning to other lenders about engaging in similar practices. For Toyota, this situation poses a challenge to its reputation and emphasizes the importance of maintaining transparency and consumer trust in all aspects of its business operations.
The relentless series of recalls plaguing the automobile industry continues unabated, with Toyota being the latest victim. In what seems to be a recurrent trend, Toyota has been compelled to initiate another broad recall, this time centered around a critical safety feature – the airbag. An article on The Scioto Post released on July 25th, 2023, highlights the issue in detail.
Faulty Air Bag Connection Prompts Recall
According to the report, Toyota is conducting a non-compliance safety recall involving a staggering 110,000 vehicles in the U.S. Models included in this recall are 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross hybrid, Highlander, Highlander hybrid, Tacoma, as well as Lexus RX and RX hybrid and 2024 model year NX and NX hybrid.
The concern is that the spiral cable assembly in the steering column, which controls the driver’s airbag, could lose its electrical connection. If this occurs, the driver’s airbag may not deploy in a crash. The issue not only fails to meet certain federal motor vehicle safety requirements, but also significantly heightens the risk of injury to the driver in the event of a crash.
Toyota’s Response
Toyota is notifying affected owners about this airbag issue by early September 2023. For all involved vehicles, Toyota and Lexus dealers will inspect the serial number of the spiral cable and, if necessary, replace it with a new cable at no cost to customers.
This is yet another blow to the auto giant’s reputation, which has been battered by a series of recalls in recent times. It also underscores the need for stringent quality control measures and extensive pre-launch testing of vehicles to avert such issues.
If you own any of the listed models, it’s important to confirm if your vehicle is included in the recall. You can do this by visiting Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information. Should you have any additional questions, you can reach out to the Toyota Brand Engagement Center (1-800-331-4331) for Toyota vehicles, or the Lexus Brand Engagement Center (1-800-255-3987) for Lexus vehicles.
Concluding Thoughts
As Toyota grapples with the impact of this recall, it’s crucial that they swiftly rectify the issue and work to regain consumer trust. The frequency of recalls in recent times underlines the importance of manufacturers investing in rigorous safety checks and maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation, and always remember, safety should be paramount when it comes to driving.
The woes for Toyota Motor Corporation continue to escalate as the brand issues a recall for a worrying problem in their full-size Tundra pickups and Sequoia SUVs. Approximately 1,400 vehicles from the 2023 model year are impacted, as their spare tires may unexpectedly detach while on the move.
A Weak Chain Sparks the Recall
According to Toyota’s report to federal safety officials, the underlying issue is attributed to frail links in the chain that secures the spare tire. An error during the forging process might have led to certain links being susceptible to breakage. Toyota explains, “Should this happen while the vehicle is in motion, the disengaged spare tire could pose a road hazard.”
Dealer Intervention and Recall Repairs
Toyota dealers are prepared to rectify the problem by replacing the entire spare-tire carrier assembly, ensuring that the spare tire remains safely attached to the vehicle. As with all recall repairs, the service will be performed free of charge.
However, it’s critical to note that countless individuals miss recall notifications annually and, as a result, unknowingly operate vehicles that have been recalled. It’s advisable for vehicle owners, particularly those of the affected 2023 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia models, to check whether their vehicle is due for any free safety repairs. You can verify this at our accessible [recall center](Link to the recall center).
Ongoing Challenges for Toyota
This latest recall adds to a series of recent setbacks for Toyota. The renowned automaker is still grappling with the aftermath of previous recalls for potential loose lug nuts and misleading EV charging time claims. With safety at the forefront of consumers’ minds, the brand’s recent recalls might raise concerns about its commitment to delivering secure, reliable vehicles.
It’s yet to be seen how Toyota will navigate these challenges and restore its long-standing reputation for quality and safety.
As per a recent report by Carandbike.com, Toyota and Hyundai are experiencing a significant setback in their marketing endeavors. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in the UK has disallowed the brands’ advertising campaigns due to misleading information regarding their electric vehicle (EV) charging times and the availability of rapid-charging points.
The Ad Campaigns in Question
Toyota’s marketing for its bZ4X model boasted that the vehicle could achieve an 80% charge in about 30 minutes with a 150kW fast-charging system. The company further claimed that rapid-charging points were readily accessible in various public places, notably at significant travel junctions on motorways and arterial roads.
In a similar vein, Hyundai’s campaign for the Ioniq 5 model stated that the vehicle could charge from 10% to 80% in a mere 18 minutes using a 350kW charger. These promotions were found on Hyundai’s website, a digital billboard in London’s Piccadilly Square, and a YouTube film featuring Chelsea footballers, a Premier League club they sponsor.
Complaints and Clarifications
However, these seemingly impressive claims met with criticism, leading to complaints lodged with the ASA. Skeptics questioned the feasibility of the charging times advertised, and both companies confessed these times were derived under ideal factory conditions. Doubts were also raised about the validity of the claims concerning the widespread availability of rapid-charging points in the UK and Ireland.
In their defense, Toyota stated that Zap-Map, a service displaying charging point locations, did not provide exact information about the locations of rapid 150kW chargers during the campaign period. The data displayed a total of 419 charging points at 134 locations across the UK. The numbers were significantly lesser for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with only seven, two, and no rapid-charging points respectively.
Hyundai’s website pointed to 37 ultra-fast 350kW charging locations in Great Britain, six in the Republic of Ireland, and limited availability in Wales and Scotland, with none in Northern Ireland.
Both car manufacturers argued that their claims weren’t misleading. They reasoned that rapid-charging points wouldn’t be necessary for shorter trips, as slower charging points were more widely available, and they emphasized the option of home charging.
ASA’s Verdict
However, the ASA saw things differently. It held that both companies conveyed the impression that accessing rapid-charging points across the UK was relatively straightforward. The ASA further emphasized that real-world charging times could vary significantly due to several factors, such as battery age, condition, ambient temperature, and battery temperature, all of which were regulated by the manufacturers during the tests conducted to support the claims.
Even though the car manufacturers countered by saying that promoting potential EV charge times was crucial to allay consumer concerns like range anxiety and lack of awareness about the charging infrastructure, the ASA ruled the ads to be misleading and lacking substantiation, leading to the ban on such claims in electric car advertising. Toyota and Hyundai have been instructed not to mislead consumers about battery charging times in future campaigns.
Toyota’s Unsettling Lug Nut Issue in the 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid
Toyota’s recall woes continue with another concerning revelation — the automaker has issued a recall for 298 of its 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The reason? The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicles may be loose, posing a risk of the wheels detaching. Given the severity of the issue, Toyota advises owners not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed.
The recall specifically affects the following vehicles:
2023 Toyota Camry
2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Toyota, which has begun contacting Camry owners through email, phone calls, and first-class mail since June 15, 2023, can be reached for additional queries at Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. The recall number for this issue is 23TA05.
Toyota Yaris: An Urgent Recall Down Under
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Toyota faces more recalls — this time it’s the popular Yaris hatchback in Australia. Toyota needs to inspect around 7600 vehicles built between May 2020 and May 2023. The recall includes both petrol and hybrid models.
The cause of the recall is a manufacturing error that may have damaged part of the suspension arm causing minor cracking. This issue is particularly problematic as repeated driving on bumpy and uneven road surfaces could lead to the suspension arm breaking. As you can imagine, this poses a significant risk, potentially leading to serious accidents, injury, or even death.
Toyota has urged all affected owners to contact their local dealership immediately to book in for a free inspection and repair. The inspection should take about 30 minutes and if a crack is found, repairs could take between two to five hours.
Continuous Recall Issues: A Growing Concern for Toyota
These recalls, while affecting different models and locations, point to a wider concern for Toyota. The breadth and seriousness of these recalls show a pattern that could erode trust in the brand’s commitment to quality and safety.
As always, we urge all Tacoma and other Toyota model owners to check if their vehicle is affected by these recalls and to contact their local dealership or Toyota’s customer service to resolve these issues promptly. And as we’ve been doing, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
If you’re an owner of a recalled Toyota vehicle, we invite you to share your experience in the comments below. Your stories could be invaluable to others in similar situations.
Once again, Toyota, along with Kia and Land Rover, faces substantial vehicle recalls. The latest wave, issued by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), impacts over 247,000 vehicles across these three major brands. This latest string of recalls underscores Toyota’s ongoing challenges with product quality and safety.
The Toyota recall, accounting for over 96,000 vehicles, primarily targets the 2022-2023 Corolla Cross hybrid SUV models. The issue at stake relates to a flaw in the front-passenger airbag deployment system. This puts Toyota, a brand often lauded for its reliability, under renewed scrutiny.
This recalls follow a long history of safety-related recalls that the brand has had to manage. It raises the question: Are these recalls an exception or part of an emerging pattern for Toyota?
The affected vehicle owners are advised to visit the NHTSA website, enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and check the recall status. If you’re a Toyota owner, and you’ve been impacted by this latest recall, please share your experience in the comments section.
Your insights could be of great help to other owners navigating similar situations.
Early last month, the news broke that Toyota Motor Corp had agreed to settle a federal class action suit brought to court by owners of vehicles whose frames could rust through – specifically the Toyota Tacoma frame.
“We want our customers to have a great ownership experience, so we are pleased to resolve this litigation in a way that benefits them and demonstrates that we stand behind the quality and reliability of our vehicles,” Toyota said
Well, what exactly does this entail?
Sure – they had already agreed to the replacement via their “Limited Service Campaign,” but how far does this go?
Will dealers use this recall as a chance to recoup cost by demanding those who brought their Toyota vehicles in for service pay for parts that need to be replaced as a result of the recall? Will it be a similar situation to the one I faced last November?
Per Reuters, “The settlement reached on Oct. 31 covers Tacoma trucks from the model years 2005 through 2010, Sequoias from 2005 through 2008 and Tundras from the 2007 and 2008 model years.“
My wife, our beagle Frank, and I didn’t anticipate the journey we were embarking upon with our 2005 Toyota Tacoma, a reliable companion that had driven us 182,000 miles from Massachusetts to Washington State. However, as Tacoma owners ourselves, we soon discovered the potential downside of a Toyota Tacoma recall.
The Tacoma, The Beagle, The Wife
Discovering the Frame Rust Issue
The first signs of trouble appeared subtly during a winter in Seattle. An unusual “clunk” from the rear of the truck developed, growing louder over time. Hoping for a simple fix, we brought the Tacoma to a local mechanic, only to learn that the frame was in such bad condition they couldn’t even lift the truck. The root of the issue? A fractured leaf spring, covered, fortunately, by another recall.
The rear leaf spring in my truck had fractured.
The Unexpected Hurdle in the Recall Process
What seemed like a lifeline – our truck being part of a recall – quickly became a nightmare. A Limited Service Campaign was in place, which appeared to promise a solution to our problem. The campaign was supposed to address excessive rust and frame perforation in certain 2005-2008 model year Tacoma vehicles.
Paraphrased details of “Limited Service Campaign:”
Limited Service Campaign E0D (Specific 20 Cold Climate States Only) – Certain 2005-2008 Model Year Toyota Tacoma Vehicles – Corrosion-Resistant Compound Application to the Vehicle’s Frame
This is a Limited Service Campaign (LSC). Please contact an authorized Toyota Dealer and make an appointment to have your vehicle inspected and the CRC application completed before 3/31/2016. This campaign covers vehicles currently registered in CT DE IL IN KY MA MD ME MI MN NH NJ NY OH PA RI VA VT WA WI WV & D.C. This LSC will be launched in Phases. Currently only dealers in MA, ME, NH, RI, & VT are authorized to perform this campaign
Condition: Certain 05-08 MY Tacoma vehicles operated in specific cold climate areas with high road salt use, may exhibit more than normal corrosion to the frame. An authorized dealer will inspect the frame. If significant rust perforation is not found*, corrosion-resistant compounds (CRC) will be applied to key areas of the frame. If an authorized dealer confirms the frame has significant rust perforation*, an appropriate remedy will be provided.
*Based on Toyota’s Criteria
Eager to resolve the issue, we left our Tacoma at a local Toyota dealership to undergo the frame perforation test. The truck failed, and we were approved for a frame replacement. Hope renewed, until an unexpected snag hit us.
While replacing the frame, the mechanics discovered parts that would be damaged during the process and needed replacement – parts not covered by the recall campaign. The cost? A whopping $5,380.
The rear leafspring in my truck had fractured.The dismantled Toyota Tacoma.
The Standoff with Toyota Corporate
The dealership advocated on our behalf, but after two weeks of back and forth, Toyota Corporate would not agree to cover the additional costs. If we didn’t agree to the extra expenses, the dealership threatened to return the truck in its current disassembled state.
Your Tacoma Experiences and TacomaProblems.com
Our Tacoma story isn’t over, but it’s clear this is a complex issue. Many of you may have had similar experiences, or perhaps you’re just starting this journey. I want to hear from you. Whether good or bad, your experiences with the Toyota frame rust issue and recalls matter.
Reach out at [email protected] and share your story. You’re not alone in this, and together we can shed light on the true cost of these recalls.
And yes, TacomaProblems.com is for sale. The price? The cost of the repairs – $5380.
Share this Post
Did this post resonate with you? Do you know others who would benefit from this information? Share it on your social media channels to spread the word and join the conversation about the Toyota Tacoma recalls.
The frame in my 2005 Toyota Tacoma is subject to a Limited Service Campaign due to excessive rust that results in a frame that can be perforated.
The Toyota Tacoma is currently sitting at a Seattle area dealership in three separate pieces.
The rebuild isn’t going forward in order for the mechanics to proceed, certain additional parts will need to be replaced, as they will or already have been damaged in the frame replacement.
Those parts aren’t covered in the recall.
I’ve told the dealership that I’m not going to pay for any additional expense associated with the recall.
Service Rep agreed and was advocating on my behalf to Toyota Corporate.
After 2 weeks of back & forth, Toyota Corporate still will not agree to pay for any parts that aren’t part of the frame recall “policy.”
If don’t agree to the additional expenses, Toyota will return the truck as it is currently – old, rusty frame and all.
