Post by TonyV on Dec 5, 2009 2:31:23 GMT -5
Feds probe stalling reports in 2 Toyota models
Ken Bensinger and Ralph Vartabedian / Los Angeles Times
Federal safety officials have opened a probe into two models of Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles after drivers reported that their cars stalled in traffic, sometimes at highway speeds.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration posted a document late this week launching the investigation into Toyota's Matrix and Corolla cars. It's just the latest in a recent string of quality-related issues for the Japanese automaker.
The document cited 26 complaints from drivers of 2006 model year Matrix and Corolla vehicles. Consumers "allege stalls occurring randomly while driving, including some on highways and some in intersections," the agency stated.
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The new investigation is another blow to an automaker that has seen its long-held reputation for quality come under attack amid a flurry of safety-related recalls and investigations this year.
Last week, Toyota said it would recall more than 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because their design increases the risk that they could suddenly accelerate out of control. In addition Toyota recalled 110,000 Tundra pickups because of a rust problem that could cause the spare tire to fall onto the road, creating a hazard for other vehicles.
Toyota has announced recalls of more than 4.8 million cars and trucks in the U.S. and Canada since January. Other than this year, Toyota's largest annual total of recalled vehicles over the past decade was 1.1 million in 2004.
In 2000, Toyota recalled just 8,379 vehicles.
In addition to the Corolla and Matrix probe, which covers 397,000 vehicles, NHTSA is investigating the 2003 Sequoia based on allegations that the electronic stability control system seizes control of the brakes at inappropriate times. That investigation targets 68,289 SUVs.
Toyota spokesman John Hanson acknowledged the new investigation of Corolla and Matrix cars but would not speculate on the potential causes.
"It's the first step," he said. "They're asking us for a preliminary evaluation. We'll submit that to them, and they'll decide whether to take this to the next level."
NHTSA's records of complaints show numerous incidents of Corolla and Matrix vehicles stalling, often in situations where other vehicles could strike the car. One details a Corolla that stalled in heavy traffic in December of last year, blocking a right-turn lane for two hours until it could be towed.
The agency indicates the problem could be linked to the onboard computer, or electronic control module. Toyota on its own issued a service bulletin to its dealers two years ago, calling for replacement of that component in Corolla or Matrix vehicles experiencing "harsh shift."
Neither the Corolla nor the Matrix is included in the massive recall announced last week. That affects the 2007-10 Camry, the 2004-09 Prius, the 2005-10 Avalon, the 2005-10 Tacoma and the 2007-10 Tundra, the 2007-10 Lexus ES 350, and the 2006-10 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350.
Ken Bensinger and Ralph Vartabedian / Los Angeles Times
Federal safety officials have opened a probe into two models of Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles after drivers reported that their cars stalled in traffic, sometimes at highway speeds.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration posted a document late this week launching the investigation into Toyota's Matrix and Corolla cars. It's just the latest in a recent string of quality-related issues for the Japanese automaker.
The document cited 26 complaints from drivers of 2006 model year Matrix and Corolla vehicles. Consumers "allege stalls occurring randomly while driving, including some on highways and some in intersections," the agency stated.
Advertisement
The new investigation is another blow to an automaker that has seen its long-held reputation for quality come under attack amid a flurry of safety-related recalls and investigations this year.
Last week, Toyota said it would recall more than 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because their design increases the risk that they could suddenly accelerate out of control. In addition Toyota recalled 110,000 Tundra pickups because of a rust problem that could cause the spare tire to fall onto the road, creating a hazard for other vehicles.
Toyota has announced recalls of more than 4.8 million cars and trucks in the U.S. and Canada since January. Other than this year, Toyota's largest annual total of recalled vehicles over the past decade was 1.1 million in 2004.
In 2000, Toyota recalled just 8,379 vehicles.
In addition to the Corolla and Matrix probe, which covers 397,000 vehicles, NHTSA is investigating the 2003 Sequoia based on allegations that the electronic stability control system seizes control of the brakes at inappropriate times. That investigation targets 68,289 SUVs.
Toyota spokesman John Hanson acknowledged the new investigation of Corolla and Matrix cars but would not speculate on the potential causes.
"It's the first step," he said. "They're asking us for a preliminary evaluation. We'll submit that to them, and they'll decide whether to take this to the next level."
NHTSA's records of complaints show numerous incidents of Corolla and Matrix vehicles stalling, often in situations where other vehicles could strike the car. One details a Corolla that stalled in heavy traffic in December of last year, blocking a right-turn lane for two hours until it could be towed.
The agency indicates the problem could be linked to the onboard computer, or electronic control module. Toyota on its own issued a service bulletin to its dealers two years ago, calling for replacement of that component in Corolla or Matrix vehicles experiencing "harsh shift."
Neither the Corolla nor the Matrix is included in the massive recall announced last week. That affects the 2007-10 Camry, the 2004-09 Prius, the 2005-10 Avalon, the 2005-10 Tacoma and the 2007-10 Tundra, the 2007-10 Lexus ES 350, and the 2006-10 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350.