Toyota Motor Corp is back in the news for the wrong reasons as the Japanese automaker has issued a recall for select Toyota and Lexus models over a concern that the power steering system could fail and make the vehicle very difficult to control. Toyota has seen sales slide over the past year due to quality issues and with the Detroit Big 3 constantly improving their products – a new Toyota recall could help to further the decline of Toyota in the American auto industry. While all automakers, including GM, Chrysler and Ford Motor Company all have recalls from time to time, the illusion of Toyota’s spotless quality helped them work to best the American automakers but the Detroit Big 3 are all benefitting from Toyota’s slide due to repeated recalls.
This new Toyota power steering recall affects roughly 283,200 Toyota vehicles and 137,000 Lexus vehicles with another 130,000 units of those cars and SUVs located outside of the United States. Included under this power steering recall are the 2004-2005 Toyota Camry, the 2004 Toyota Avalon, the 2006 Toyota Highlander, the 2004-2005 Lexus ES330, the 2004-2005 Lexus RX330 and the 2006 Lexus RX400h – all of which are powered by a V6 engine option. Toyota points out that these same vehicles powered by the 4-cylinder engine option are not affected, as this problem is specific to the V6 mill.
The 550,000 vehicles affected by the new Toyota and Lexus power steering recall have a problematic crankshaft pulley on the engine from which the power steering belt is driven. This crankshaft pulley could deform, with the outer ring and inner ring becoming misaligned and when that happens; there will first be unusual noises coming from the engine and if left unchecked, the power steering belt could slip off. When the power steering belt is removed, the power steering system in these recalled Toyota sedans and SUVs will stop assisting so while it will become very difficult to steer the vehicle – the driver will still have control. Considering that nature of this recall, it should come as no surprise that there have been no accidents or injuries stemming from this recall but considering the sudden difficulty that could arise when the power steering stops working, Toyota is bringing these cars and SUVs back to replace the crankshaft pulley.
This recall will formally begin in January 2012 when owners are notified via first class mail but until then, owners of the vehicles listed above with the V6 engine option should call their dealership if they hear any abnormal noises coming from the engine bay.
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