Honda Expands Airbag Recall that is Linked to One Death to an Additional 437,763 Vehicles Worldwide, Most in the USA

A defective airbag that has been linked to one death and 11 injuries in the United States over the past few years is still haunting Honda as the company today announced that it is adding 437,763 cars to its existing global safety recall over the airbag inflation problem.

The expanded recall is concentrated mainly in the United States, where nearly 378,758 vehicles are affected, but the latest announcement also covers Japan, Mexico, Taiwan and Australia.

The models added to the list concern certain 2001 and 2002 Honda Accord, Civic, Odyssey, CR-V, 2002 Pilot, 2002 Acura CL and selected 2002 Acura TL vehicles.

According to the automaker, the driver's airbag inflators in these vehicles may deploy with too much pressure causing the inflator casing to rupture and send metal fragments through the airbag cushion material possibly resulting in injury or even fatality to vehicle occupants.

Honda first issued a recall on the matter on less than 4,000 model year 2001 Accord and Civic back in November 2008. After the original recall, the Japanese automaker said that two additional incidents were reported, including one fatality from a vehicle not included in that recall.

That led Honda to expand the recall in July 2009 to include approximately 440,000 model year 2001 and 2002 Accord, Civic and certain 2002 Acura TL vehicles.

Global Recall for 2010 Toyota Prius and Lexus HS250h Over Software Glitch in the Braking System

First of all, let us tell you that the above picture isn't a Carscoop chop, but an official advert for the Lexus HS 250h that's shown here in the U.S. and is supposed to highlight the use of sustainable materials on the car. And now that we've got that out of the way, let's concentrate on Toyota's latest recall.

Following the NHTSA's investigation on owner complaints of momentary loss of braking on the third-generation Prius, Toyota decided to issue a voluntary safety recall on approximately 400,000 vehicles worldwide to update software in the anti-lock brake system (ABS).

Aside from the 2010 Prius, the recall also affects the 2010 Lexus HS 250h and its JDM only sibling, the new Toyota Sai hybrid sedan, as all three models use the same components for the ABS system.

Toyota said that the recall is being taken in response to reports of inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady braking on bumpy or slick road surfaces when the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is actuated.

The company added that the affected cars are safe to drive because pressing hard on the brake pedal when the ABS is activated will stop the vehicle.

Toyota has been criticized by the media and consumers for taking its time to issue this recall as the automaker had introduce a running production change on the new Prius built from January 2010.

The Japanese automaker said that it will begin mailing letters to Prius owners included in this recall next week and HS 250h owners within the next few weeks, to inform them when to bring their vehicles into a dealership.

According to the company, the software update will take approximately 40 minutes using standard test equipment in use at all authorized Toyota service centers.

The latest safety campaign for Toyota comes after a string of other recalls, mainly about the faulty accelerator pedals / killer mats, that concern 8.1 million vehicles worldwide since October of 2009.

NHTSA Opens Probe on Chevy Cobalt for Power-Steering Failures - 11 Complaints Allege Problem Caused Crash

No, we didn't spell Toyota's name wrong. It's actually GM that's being investigated in this latest safety case by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) which has either stepped up its efforts or -most likely- most of us are paying closer attention to the agency after Toyota's "sticky" woes.

The NHTSA said that it opened an investigation on the Chevrolet Cobalt after 1,132 consumers complained about a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) in 2005-2009 Cobalt and 2008-2009 Cobalt SS models.

According to the agency's report, around 10 per cent of the complaints claim that the loss of steering assist resulted in difficultly controlling the vehicle, while 11 support that the sudden increase in steering effort caused by the alleged defect led to a crash, with one consumer alleging an injury.

If -and we stress "if"- the NHTSA's findings call for a fix, it is estimated that approximately 905,000 Cobalts will be affected by the recall.

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Shock and Awe! Another pending recall for Toyota - This Time it's a Software Glitch in the Prius' Braking System!

And if you didn't get it, our title is a sarcastic jab at the "Toyota Recall" madness that seems to have prevailed among certain sites and blogs these past couple of weeks. Reporting on a subject is one thing but overdoing it without essentially offering something new to readers either for traffic or even less noble motives is another... But to the story.

The National Highway Traffic Administration said today that it has opened a preliminary evaluation centered on owner complaints of momentary loss of braking in the 2010 Prius.

Toyota responded with a statement saying that it is aware of NHTSA's initiation of the investigation while the company also acknowledged that it performed a production change last month, improving the ABS system's response time, as well as the system's overall sensitivity to tire slippage.

"Some customers have complained of inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the anti-lock brake system (ABS) is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction," Toyota said in a statement.

Now the question we pose is this; if Toyota deemed the problem serious / important enough to introduce a running production change, then why didn't the company issue a recall to make the same fix on the rest of the 2010 Prius hybrids'?

Toyota Pinpoints Exact UK Vehicles Involved in Sticky Accelerator Pedal Recall, Repairs to Start on February 10

Toyota's British arm today announced details on the exact models and the total number of vehicles that are the subject to its sticky accelerator pedal safety recall in the UK. Overall, 180,865 Toyota brand vehicles are affected in the UK with the total made up of models from seven different ranges that you can check out after the jump.

The Japanese automaker added that, in the UK, manual Aygo models and all versions of RAV4 are not included in the recall, while the same goes for all Lexus models.

As in other regions, Toyota will address the problem by installing a precision-cut steel reinforcement bar into the accelerator pedal assembly.

The company said that the first shipments of parts required for this fix will begin arriving in the UK next week and Toyota will start repairing cars from 10 February. According to the automaker the procedure should take about 30 minutes to complete.

UK Models affected by the recall:

- AYGO (Feb 2005 - Aug 2009) Only AYGO MMT is affected

- iQ (Nov 2008 - Nov 2009)

- Yaris (Nov 2005 - Sep 2009)

- Auris (Oct 2006 - 5 Jan 2010)

- Corolla (Oct 2006 - Dec 2009)

- Verso (Feb 2009 - 5 Jan 2010)

- Avensis (Nov 2008 - Dec 2009)

UK Models NOT affected:

- AYGO Manual

- RAV4

- Urban Cruiser

- Avensis Verso

- Corolla Verso

- Celica

- MR2

- Prius

- Previa

- Land Cruiser

- Land Cruiser Amazon

- Land Cruiser V8

- Hilux

- Hiace

- Dyna

- Any pre-2005 Toyota

Toyota Recall: Here's How They'll Fix the Sticky Accelerator Pedals on European and North American Cars

Having pinpointed the issue that could potentially cause accelerator pedals to stick in a partially open position in approximately 2.3 million recalled Toyota-branded vehicles in North America and another 1.8 million in Europe, the Japanese automaker has announced a fix for the problem.

According to Toyota, the sticking throttle issue involves a friction device in the pedal designed to provide the proper "feel" by adding resistance and making the pedal steady and stable.

That device includes a jagged shoe that rubs against an adjoining surface during normal pedal operation. Toyota said that the problem concerns the materials used on the device, as over time, these surfaces begin to stick causing the throttle to remain in a partially open position.

The company's solution is rather simple as it involves the installation of a precision-cut steel reinforcement bar into the assembly thus reducing the surface tension between the friction shoe and the adjoining surface.

Toyota says it's confident that with this reinforcement in place, the excess friction that can cause the pedal to stick is eliminated.

The company announced that it will start repairs in the U.S. this week with Toyota dealers working extended hours to complete the recall campaign with some even said to stay open 24 hours a day.

As for Europe, first shipments of parts required for the fix will begin arriving next week.

And while we've explained this before, we've guess it won't hurt anyone if we stress the fact that there are two different recalls over Toyota's accelerator problems - even though some vehicles are affected by both.

Here's how Toyota describes the two different (but related) issues:

Sticking Pedal Accelerator Recall: The condition can occur in rare instances, over time, under certain environmental conditions - there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to idle position.

Potential Floor Mat Interference with Accelerator Pedal Recall: This condition is the potential for an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat to interfere with or entrap the accelerator pedal and cause it to get stuck in the wide open position.

Toyota has determined that this condition can occur in vehicles in which the driver's side floor mat is not compatible with the vehicle and/or is not properly secured.

Toyota Announces Details on Recalled European Models, Says up to 1.8 Million Vehicles May Be Affected by Sticky Accelerator

Less than 24 hours after Toyota Motor Europe announced that it would be investigating potential accelerator pedal issues on its European models, the Japanese automaker released details on the affected vehicles. The recall involves a total of eight models. These are listed below:

-AYGO (Feb 2005 – Aug 2009)
-iQ (Nov 2008 – Nov 2009)
-Yaris (Nov 2005 – Sep 2009)
-Auris (Oct 2006 – 5 Jan 2010)
-Corolla (Oct 2006 – Dec 2009)
-Verso (Feb 2009 – 5 Jan 2010)
-Avensis (Nov 2008 – Dec 2009)
-RAV4 (Nov 2005 – Nov 2009)

The company said that precise number of involved units is still under investigation, but may reach up to a total of 1.8 million vehicles in the Old Continent, adding that no Lexus or other Toyota models are affected by the recall to solve a potential accelerator pedal issue.

"Toyota's policy is to put its customers first, in all circumstances", said Tadashi Arashima, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"We understand that the current situation is creating concerns, and we deeply regret it. We would also like to reassure customers: the potential accelerator pedal issue only occurs in very rare circumstances. The announced action is a preventive measure aimed to guarantee the highest safety standards to all customers."

According to Toyota, there is a chance that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms on the affected models may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position

Toyota said that the issue is caused because the accelerator pedal mechanisms concerned may become worn.

The Japanese automaker added that only a limited number of incidents have been reported in Europe, and that the company is not aware of any accident resulting from this issue.

Earlier this week, Toyota suspended sales of eight vehicles in the U.S. due to the sticky accelerator problem while the firm also added another 1.1 million vehicles to last fall's recall of 4.3 million vehicles in the USA.

Ford Stops Production of Transit in China Over Accelerator Pedal Issue

While Toyota is the main car manufacturer to be affected by the faulty accelerator pedals (not to be confused with the floor-mat related sticky accelerator issues) made by Indiana-based supplier CTS Corp., it isn't the only one.

The Associated Press as well as the USA Today reported today that Ford has halted production of its Transit Classic van in China because it has a similar type of pedal assembly made by CTS as the ones blamed for Toyota's recall in the States.

"When anybody has an issue in the industry, we check everything about the Ford system and production process," said Ford CEO Alan Mulally. "It's our assessment right now that this is very isolated."

It is also reported that Toyota has issued a new recall of 75,000 vehicles in China for the same matter.

Earlier today, Toyota said that it is investigating the issue on its European models also.

Thanks for the tip 3Deuce27! , Via: USA Today

Global Nightmare? Toyota Accelerator Pedal Recall Spreads to Europe, 1.1 Million More Cars Added to U.S. Recall

Toyota's sticky accelerator woes are turning into a global nightmare as the world's largest automaker said today that the large-scale recall would spread to Europe while the company revealed that an additional 1.1 million vehicles in the States are being added to last November's recall of 4.3 million vehicles.

The move comes only a few days after the Japanese automaker issued a different recall of 2.3 million Toyota cars and trucks in the United States for the same matter and in a supposedly separate case, but again for sticky accelerators only this time, even without the presence of floor mats, the maker temporarily suspended sales of eight cars in the States.

In what concerns Europe, Toyota said that the models and exact number of potentially affected vehicles is still under investigation.

However, the automaker noted that there is no "need or intention to halt sales production in Europe as a running change in production using different parts has already been implemented model-by-model in the European production."

According to Toyota, there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms in European models may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.

"The details of corrective action and implementation will be communicated directly to customers with vehicles potentially affected," the company said in statement.

As for the expansion of last fall's recall of 4.3 million vehicles in the States by an additional 1.1 million units, the affected vehicles are: 2008-2010 Highlander and 2009-2010 Corollas, Venzas, Matrixes and the Pontiac Vibe, which was jointly developed by Toyota and GM.

Toyota Suspends U.S. Sales of Eight Models Including Camry, Corolla and RAV4 to Deal with Accelerator Pedal Issues

Only a few days after announcing that it would recall approximately 2.3 million vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific Toyota Division models, the Japanese automaker said today that it will temporarily suspend sales of eight Toyota vehicles that are on the recall list in the USA. No Lexus or Scion models are included in the sales suspension. The affected Toyota models are listed below:

• 2009-2010 RAV4
  
• 2009-2010 Corolla
  
• 2009-2010 Matrix
  
• 2005-2010 Avalon
  
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry
  
• 2010 Highlander
  
• 2007-2010 Tundra
  
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
  

For the record, the Toyota models not affected by the temporary sales halt are the Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids, which will remain for sale.

According to the company, the new sticking accelerator pedal recall is separate from the on-going recall of around 1.7 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats.

In this latest recall, the Japanese automaker said that it has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles even without the presence of floor mats.

According to Toyota, there's a possibility that certain accelerators may, "in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position."

"Helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company," commented Group Vice President and Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter.

"This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized. We're making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible."

Because of the sales halt, the company said that it will stop producing vehicles on certain production lines for the week of February 1. The affected factories are listed below:

--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (Corolla, Matrix, and RAV4)

--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (Sequoia and Highlander)

--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky – Line 1 (Camry and Avalon)

--Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (Camry)

--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (Tundra)