Big Day for Auto Recalls: Toyota Recalls 437,000 Lexus and Prius and More than 7,300 Camrys while Honda Expands Previous Airbag Inflator—Related Recall with Another 437,000 Vehicles
Toyota Motor Corp announced two separate recalls today. The first recall involves a global recall of 437,000 2010 Toyota hybrids—Prius, Lexus, and Sai—over issues with the vehicles’ anti-lock braking system. Last week, the automaker admitted that there was a problem with the software that controls the brake system. Approximately 125 Prius owners have filed complaints about the defect, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a formal probe into the matter.
In the US, the recall affects 133,000 Prius cars and 14,500 Lexus Division 2010 HS 250h vehicles. The fix involves updating the ABS software.
Toyota also announced the recall of 7,300 2010 Camrys over a brake defect. The NHTSA says that the problem involves a power steering hose that is too long and is at risk of wearing out the left rear brake tube by rubbing against it, potentially causing a brake fluid leak. This can make it harder for a motorist to stop the vehicle. The NHTSA says it is also looking into complaints it has received about the steering on some of Toyota's Corollas (2009 and 2010 models).
Also today, Honda says it is expanding a recall it issued in July 2009 because of a problem with the airbag inflator on some of its Accords, Civics, and Acura TLs. 2001 and 2002 Civics, Accords, CR-Vs, Odysseys, certain 2002 Acura TLs, and possibly one Acura CL and one Honda Pilot are affected. The automaker is recalling 433,000 vehicles globally. 379,000 of the autos are in the US.
The car manufacturer says there has been 12 incidents reported involving problems with the airbag inflator. Although all of them took place prior to the original recall, Honda says it wants to make sure that all vehicles with this particular defect are examined.
It was less than two weeks ago that Honda announced a global recall of 646,000 Fit, Jazz, and City (2007 and 2008) models over a power window switch-related fire hazard. 141,000 Fits sold in the US were included in the recall. Two Fits reportedly caught fire while seven others overheated.
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Honda recalls 438,000 cars for airbag hazard, CNN Money, February 10, 2010
Toyota Corolla Complaints Being Reviewed By U.S. (Update2), BusinessWeek, February 9, 2010
3rd UPDATE: Toyota To Recall 437,000 Hybrids As Prius Concerns Add To Woes, The Wall Street Journal, February 9, 2010
Honda recalls 646,000 Fits for fire hazard, CNN, January 29, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Toyota Motor Corporation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
