Toyota

Toyota informs Japan dealerships 300,000 Prius models worldwide will be recalled

The move comes in the aftermath of Toyota recently recalling eight million cars around the world because of sticky accelerator pedals. The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported an anti-lock braking system designed to prevent skidding is problematic and is expected to affect 270,000 vehicles in Japan and the United States. The Nikkei business daily said Toyota would also repair about 30,000 vehicles sold in Europe, China, Australia, Middle East and other areas. According to sources not named by Japanese newspapers, “The company will repair the software free of charge in the United States and other countries in a similar manner.” Toyota‘s formal announcement is expected within days. Toyota had originally considered a voluntary repair for the problem, which the company said

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Super Bowl 2010: Car commercials revisited (Toyota Corolla, 2009)

Automakers have been major contributors through the years to a much-anticipated social phenomenon: Commercials of the Super Bowl. The 30-second and one-minute spots are the most expensive on television. And while it’s the game most fans tune in to watch, commercials, halftime entertainment and the rest of the pageantry are eagerly and equally awaited spectacles for many football and non-football fans. Chrysler will return to the commercial fraternity during the Super Bowl this year for the first time since 2004. Companies with connections to automobiles also involved in the  Feb. 7 game (that’s less than three weeks) include: Hyundai, Bridgestone, GoDaddy.com, Anheuser-Busch, Cars.com, Honda and Audi. The companies’ commercials for this year aren’t yet available for viewing, of course. But

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Toyota CEO emerges from silence, outlines current woes, Prius, Lexus plans

Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda, speaking for the first time since his embattled company has recalled millions of its vehicles and is considering further recalls with Prius and perhaps Lexus models, has outlined the Japanese manufacturer’s plans. Here are the key points of what Toyoda, the grandson of the Toyota founder, said at a news conference in Nagoya, Japan, late Friday, which was shown at Toyota’s Tokyo office by satellite feed. Also included are other key points of the current Toyota scandal: * Toyota‘s president apologized for the automaker’s global recalls and promised to beef up quality control by setting up a special committee he would head himself. * Toyota is still deciding what to do to fix braking

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Prius recall imminent for troubled Toyota, Lexus hybrid next?

Toyota is preparing to recall 270,000 Prius hybrid vehicles in the United States and Japan with brake problems, and the world’s largest automaker has also begun an investigation for similar problems with its luxury Lexus hybrid. Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi said Toyota had not yet decided whether to recall the Prius. But several Japanese media outlets, including business newspaper Nihon Keizai and television network NHK reports the 2010 Prius recall is imminent. The new Prius hybrid went on sale in Japan and the United States in May 2009. More than 170,000 of the new Prius models have been sold in Japan, with around 103,000 sold in the U.S. since May. Toyota, reeling from massive global recalls of 4.5 million vehicles

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Toyota Prius update: Brake complaints continue, U.S. government considers sanctions

The turbulent times for Toyota Motor Corp. now include problems with the most world’s most popular hybrid — the Toyota Prius. Toyota has received more than 100 complaints in the U.S. and Japan about brake problems with the popular Prius hybrid. Less than two weeks ago, the Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla, the carmaker’s top-selling vehicles, were among eight Toyota models involved in a recall of more several  millions vehicles with potentially faulty accelerator pedal. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received about 100 complaints involving the brakes of the Prius new model. Two involved crashes resulting in injuries. The new Prius gas-electric hybrid, which went on sale in Japan and the U.S. in May 2009, is not

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Toyota Prius brake issues prompt U.S. Transportation Dept. investigation

Toyota Motor Corp., troubles have heightened. The U.S. Transportation Department has begun an investigation into brake problems in the 2010 Toyota Prius after the Japanese automaker acknowledged design issues with the country’s best-selling gas-electric hybrid. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told The Associated Press it has received 124 reports from consumers, including four reports of crashes. The investigation will look into allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over uneven road surfaces, potholes or bumps. The Japanese government has ordered Toyota to investigate brake problems. The automaker said it had corrected problems with the antilock brake system in Prius models sold since late last month, including those shipped overseas. The flaw requires a software programming change to

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Toyota tumbles, Ford F-150 leads January U.S. auto sales

Sales figures the first month of 2010 reflect the industry’s turbulent times. Ford, the only carmaker among the American top-three that did not received federal funding in 2009, led sales with its popular F-150 series. It also led sales in 2009. Toyota, shattered by the recall of its best-selling Camry and Corolla, fell 16 percent. Lexus, the upscale Toyota line, had a 12 percent increase. Here are the top-10 sales totals for the United Sates in January, 2010, according to Cars.com 1. Ford F-Series: 27,630; 2. Chevy Silverado: 22,772; 3. Honda Accord: 20,759 (1,737 Accord Crosstours included); 4. Nissan Altima: 18,636; 5. Toyota Corolla: 17,121; 6. Chevy Malibu: 16,439; 7. Toyota Camry: 15,792; 8. Honda Civic: 14,693; 9. Chevy Cobalt:

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Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Secretary, amends 'stop driving Toyotas' statement

While speaking before a House Appropriation sub-committee on transportation, LaHood said, according to an Associated Press report, “Stop driving it. Take it to a Toyota dealer because they believe they have a fix for it.” LaHood was referring to the eight Toyota models, including the top-selling Camry and Corolla, that were recalled in late January because of the potential of a faulty accelerator pedals. But at the risk of causing further confusion among Toyota owners, LaHood has corrected his statement. He now advises owners of recalled Toyota cars to “Stop driving your car if it shows signs of having a sticky accelerator.” LaHood also said the U.S. Transportation Dept. is investigating to see if other automakers might have the same

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Toyota president Jim Lentz on Fox: 'Resolving pedal issue will be measured in months'

Here are  few excerpts and a video from the Fox Business Network interview: On a timeline to solve the safety issues: “I think it’s going to be measured in months not weeks. I can’t tell you exactly how much. At the end of this week, we’ll have a much better idea.” On recalling the pedal now after months of complaints: “Initially, we concentrated on the floor mat. In hindsight, it was more about the pedal. We didn’t really understand how customers use floor mats. We didn’t have enough clearance under our pedals.” “We actually acted quite quickly on that. From October of last year to today, we investigated it, we found a solution, and we implemented a solution….that’s 90 days;

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Toyota recall update: CEO offers apology, explains recall dealer fix plan (video)

Here’s a short Associated Press video during which Lentz, in sound-bite form, apologies and explains Toyota‘s plans to repair several million automobile with two potential issues — sticking accelerator pedals and shifting floor mats. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to

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Toyota recall update: faulty brakes, floor mats fix plan announced.

Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles in the United States with the potential sticking accelerator issue. “We know what’s causing the sticking accelerator pedals, and we know what we have to do to fix it,” said Jim Lentz, Toyota‘s president and chief operating officer, in a statement. Toyota dealerships will work extended hours, some 24 hours a day, to repair the recalled vehicles. “It’s not clear how long it will take to fix all 2.3 million cars,” Lentz told CNNMoney.com. The fix involves installing a precision-cut steel reinforcement bar into the accelerator pedal assembly, which will reduce surface tension and prevent the friction that has caused the pedals to stick. The company said it has confirmed the effectiveness of the newly

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Toyota recall: Test your pedal mettle, read manufacturer's suggestions

The precautionary test the Q&A format of frequently asked concerns follow: Precautionary Test Drive to empty parking lot and practice how to put your car in “N” (neutral) position. Get the feeling of how the car responds to your actions, especially braking and turning, while the car’s gears are in “N” position. You must have learned this in your driver’s education class, but a refresher may be a good idea. If you are not sure what putting the car in “N” means, then you really should ask an experienced (and good) driver to teach you. The FAQs list: Which models are affected by the recall/stop sale? Toyota‘s accelerator pedal recall and suspension of sales is confined to the following:  2009-2010

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Toyota recall: Faulty gas pedals to rental car worries

Here in capsule form are facts and figures of Toyota‘s current predicament: * Toyota is temporarily suspending sales of eight models involved in last week’s recall: 2009-2010 RAV4, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2008-2010 Sequoia. The Camry and Corolla sedans are the top two best-selling cars in the U.S. market. Combined, those eight models sold 1,008,611 units last year, representing 57 percent of Toyota‘s 2009 U.S. sales. * Toyota has expanded the recall by at least two million cars, to include cars and trucks in Europe and China with the same gas pedals from CTS. * Toyota vehicles in Japan do not use a gas pedal manufactured by CTS. * Toyota will halt

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Toyota recall: CBS details Camry, Corolla and siblings production halt with dramatic video

The video features anchor desk and field correspondent reports and footage of two prominent accidents involving Toyota vehicles. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.

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Toyota recall: Safety research firm reports 275 crashes, 18 deaths in 11 years from faulty acceleration in suspended models

USA Today reported in its January 28 edition, that Safety Research and Strategies, a Massachusetts-based safety research firm, said it has found 2,274 incidents of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles causing 275 crashes and at least 18 fatalities since 1999. Toyota‘s most recent problems became public last September. In a statement, Toyota disclosed it had investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in some models without the presence of floor mats. “There is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partly depressed position or return slowly to the idle position,” the company added. Toyota‘s first problem with various models occurred last September. Designated as a “Safety Improvement Campaign,” Toyota posted

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Toyota recall: Tips for owners of Camry, Corolla, Matrix, other suspended cars

When the sale and production of the Toyota Corolla, the biggest selling car in history, and the Toyota Camry, the top-selling passenger in the United Sates the past seven years, comes to a sudden halt, something is obviously wrong Toyota Motor Co., confronted the problem with a sudden and unprecedented announcement. Sales of several years of the Corolla and Camry models as well as six other Toyota models have ceased. Likewise, a temporary production halt of the same eight models from numerous North American production plants has been announced. The models which will no longer be sold and which will stop production in early February include: 2009-10 RAV4, 2009-10 Corolla, 2009-10 Matrix, 2005-10 Avalon, 2007-10 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2007-10 Tundra,

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