Tag: toyota

Official: Toyota recalling 1.1M Corolla and Matrix models over stalling fears *UPDATE

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Toyota

toyota corolla

2005-2008 Toyota Corolla/Matrix – Click above for high-res image gallery

toyota matrixToyota has been in the hot seat this year for its high-volume safety recalls, has issued yet another action that covers its 2005-2008 model year Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks. Approximately 1.13 million vehicles are affected by a problem which could cause the 1ZZ-FE 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine to stall. Three accidents have been reported thus far, though Toyota hasn’t confirmed that these incidents were indeed caused by this engine stalling issue.

To fix this problem, Toyota will replace the engine control modules on the recalled vehicles starting in mid-September. Owners will be notified by mail in the coming weeks and the service will be provided at no charge.

This is not the first time this year that the Corolla and Matrix have been the subject of safety issues. In early 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigated almost 750,000 2009 and 2010 model year vehicles for a potential steering issue, and Toyota provided a free fix for customers. An official recall was not issued, though, as Toyota maintains that this problem is not a safety concern.

Follow the jump to read Toyota’s official press release.

*UPDATE: We mustn’t forget that the Pontiac Vibe is built on the same architecture as the Corolla/Matrix, and General Motors has just issued a press release (available after the jump) stating that certain 2005-2008 model year Vibes are being recalled for this same issue.

Gallery: 2005-2008 Toyota Corolla/Matrix

[Sources: Toyota, AOL Autos, General Motors]

Continue reading Official: Toyota recalling 1.1M Corolla and Matrix models over stalling fears *UPDATE

Official: Toyota recalling 1.1M Corolla and Matrix models over stalling fears *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota subpoenas Camry in Lee acquittal case

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Government/Legal, Toyota

Koua Fong Lee

Koua Fong Lee can’t seem to catch a break. Lee was convicted of killing three people in 2006 when his Toyota Camry struck a vehicle at a stoplight, but he was later freed after prosecutors discovered that Lee may have been a victim of unintended acceleration. He served two and a half years in prison while the justice system ground along, and now Toyota has subpoenaed his 1996 Camry. The manufacturer wants Lee to turn the car over for an examination on the quick. Unfortunately, Lee no longer has the car. It’s been locked up in the custody of the St. Paul Police Department since the 2006 accident.

With Lee’s name clear, a total of four federal lawsuits have been filed against Toyota by the family members of those killed in the accident. Each claims that Toyota knew of the unintended acceleration issue well before the Lee accident and failed to follow up on those reports in any substantial way. Meanwhile, Toyota claims that the accident wasn’t due to unintended acceleration. You can see the conundrum here. If Toyota proves that the accident wasn’t the result of unintended acceleration, then it may be the case that Lee was at fault.

Lee’s lawyer has expressed obvious concern over allowing Toyota to examine the vehicle unsupervised. So for now, it remains in St. Paul PD custody.

[Source: The Pioneer Press | Image: Ben Garvin, AP Photo/Pioneer Press]

Report: Toyota subpoenas Camry in Lee acquittal case originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. intensifies investigation into Toyota Corolla stalling

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Hatchback, Toyota

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is intensifying its investigation into stalling Toyota Corolla models. According to the Associated Press, the agency has opened what it calls an engineering analysis into 1.8 million Corolla and Matrix models sold between 2005 and 2007. So far, NHTSA has received around 163 complaints about stalling in those vehicles, and the government seems to believe the problem may be due to a faulty coating on the vehicle’s circuit boards. It’s also possible that a crack could develop in a particular glass coating in the vehicle.

NHTSA hasn’t gone so far as to issue a recall in this particular case as its research into the problem is ongoing. Previously, investigators were only looking into Corolla and Matrix models produced in 2006, though the recent expansion indicates that the issue may be more widespread than previously believed.

Last we heard, Toyota was considering a voluntary fix for the problem, though since then nothing has come up in terms of a proposed solution from the carmaker. Back in March, NHTSA said that the problem doesn’t pose any danger to drivers.

[Source: Associated Press]

U.S. intensifies investigation into Toyota Corolla stalling originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Tesla to buy old resources from GM, Toyota for NUMMI plant

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Tesla

Tesla Model S – Click above for high-res image gallery

When Tesla struck a deal a few months ago with Toyota to buy the closed NUMMI factory in Fremont, CA, it was made clear that the $42 million price tag only included the building and property. At the time, Tesla officials indicated that most of the equipment previously used to build Toyota Tacomas and Pontiac Vibes was unsuitable for its upcoming products.

Apparently, after going through the available machinery, Tesla did find some items it can use and has reached an agreement with Toyota and Motors Liquidation Company (the remnants of the old, bankrupt General Motors) to buy some of the equipment for a total of $15 million. Tesla has paid $4.6 million as a deposit toward the purchase and will close the deal along with the property purchase. The purchase likely covers generic equipment such as lift trucks, robots and paint equipment.

Gallery: Tesla Model S

[Source: The Street]

Report: Tesla to buy old resources from GM, Toyota for NUMMI plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota lowers tow-rating of Tundra, but it’s a good thing

Filed under: Truck, Toyota

Automakers have been on the honor system when stating the tow ratings of their pickups, and that has led to lofty numbers that could only be achieved under a very particular set of ideal conditions. Claiming the biggest number for any truck spec is a big deal, but maximum towing capacity is the crown spec. So it was only natural that these automakers – mainly Ford, General Motors, Dodge (Ram), Toyota, Honda and Nissan – would feel the pressure to keep coming up with better and better tow ratings.

Enter the Society of Automotive Engineers and détente: Five of the six truck manufacturers mentioned above have agreed to assess their trucks’ tow rating based on SAE standard J2807. The new standard lays out several benchmark tests for pickups, so automakers won’t be allowed to simply find the right conditions and produce the highest tow rating possible anymore. For the J2807 test, a standardized trailer is hooked up and the truck is put through acceleration tests on level ground and an incline, and its response to effects like understeer, trailer-sway and braking are measured. Only Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda and Chrysler will be employing J2807 now, but by 2013 all pickup truck makers will be obliged to adhere to it.

Someone had to go first, and today we learn that Toyota has adjusted its pickup’s tow rating to the new standard, and so the Tundra can tow less on paper today despite not a single change being made to the vehicle. Its towing capacities were lowered anywhere from 400 pounds on the 2WD regular cab (10,800 to 10,400) all the way up to 1,100 pounds on the 4WD CrewMax (10,100 to 9,000).

This shouldn’t be viewed as a knock against the Tundra, because we won’t know where it really falls until we get revised ratings from each of the other five manufacturers, and we expect them all to shift downwards.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Toyota lowers tow-rating of Tundra, but it’s a good thing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota’s event data recorders have a history of problems

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Toyota

Toyota shadow logo with parked Camry

According to a report in The Washington Post, the event data recorders the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration used to investigate claims of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles have a history of problems. In one incident, a Toyota pickup that struck a tree in a single car accident was recorded as going 177 mph – far faster than any T100 we’ve ever seen. A separate reading from the same device put the truck’s speed at a more feasible 75 mph. The article even says that Toyota itself has warned about the reliability of data collected from the so-called black boxes by stressing that the recorders were not intended to be used as crash-reconstruction devices. In the recent past, Toyota has already been accused of being ‘secretive’ about providing access to their black box data.

The EDRs in question apparently also have a history of being inaccurate about more than just speed. In another case, the device onboard recorded that both passengers had their seat belts unbuckled at the time of impact when in reality, one individual was safely buckled in.

Unfortunately, government researchers have little other recourse when it comes to substantiating or refuting claims of runaway Toyota products. NHTSA just recently released a preliminary report saying that over half of the instances in which the vehicles seemed out of control were actually attributable to the driver applying the wrong pedal at the wrong time. The Washington Post has indicated that the unreliability of the EDRs leaves some question as to the validity of those findings. They may have a point. Thanks for the tip, FYI!

[Source: The Washington Post | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Report: Toyota’s event data recorders have a history of problems originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota to replace Yaris in U.S., concept coming to Detroit?

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Toyota

2010 Toyota Yaris – Click above for high-res image gallery

B-segment cars have been getting a whole lot of attention lately, what with super-good offerings like the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2 and Honda Fit setting the bar high for the class. Toyota has its friendly little Yaris, but that model hasn’t seen any sort of real update since its debut in late 2006, but large changes are in the works.

Toyota’s North American operations have reportedly been pushing for the Yaris to grow in size, and we should get a conceptual preview of what to expect at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Toyota is also working on a hybrid powertrain for the Yaris in Europe, though reports state that this engine isn’t slated for the United States. Odd, especially since Toyota has always talked about expanding its Prius nameplate to include a range of hybrid vehicles.

For now, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for more rumors, and we’ll wait to see what Toyota has in store for a Detroit Show debut next January.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Yaris 5 Door

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Toyota to replace Yaris in U.S., concept coming to Detroit? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA: No evidence of electrical problems with Toyota

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

It appears that the Wall Street Journal was correct when it reported that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration had found that the majority of Toyota unintended acceleration claims was due to simple human error. Investigators with NHTSA have reviewed 58 cases of runaway Toyotas and found that in 35 instances, no brake was applied. That means in all likelihood, the driver may have stepped on the throttle instead. In the remainder of the cases, investigators attributed the company’s problem to throttles that were either trapped by floor mats or became stuck mechanically.

What does all of that mean? So far, the NHTSA has found no indication that unintended acceleration is caused by anything other than mechanical issues. Critics and victims of the runaway vehicles had posited that there might be some sort of software flaw that caused the cars to take off. The news vindicates Toyota’s findings on the matter, though NHTSA is quick to point out that the issue is still under investigation and that this is only a preliminary report.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

NHTSA: No evidence of electrical problems with Toyota originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota considering RWD hatch to commemorate Naruse

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Budget, Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Toyota, Rumormill

We see plenty of rumors crop up on the interwebs, but we’ve rarely wanted any of them to come true as badly as this particular juicy morsel. The crew at Autocar reports that Toyota wants to build a new model to honor its former chief test driver, Hiromu Naruse. Naruse recently passed away in an a collision while testing the Lexus LFA at the Nürburgring. If the whispers are true, the car won’t be a badge-job for the Camry. According to reports, Naruse always wanted to see Toyota produce an inexpensive, rear-wheel drive coupe that was affordable enough for the little guys of the world to be able to hop into the driver’s seat.

If you’re thinking there’s no way that Toyota will suddenly jump into the small rear-wheel drive market with not one, but two new products, think again. Autocar reports that the inexpensive two-door will slot below the sexy FT-86 and will be based off of the GRMN Aigo Hot Hatch Concept we saw at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon. That particular concept got its grunt from a Daihatsu 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. More importantly, it rocked a double-wishbone rear suspension and swapped its front-wheel drive layout for a rear-driven arrangement. If the rumors are to be believed, we could see the car in 2012, just slightly ahead of the FT-86.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Toyota considering RWD hatch to commemorate Naruse originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota’s hybrid sales break a million in Japan, Prius still on top

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius

2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in August of 1997, Toyota launched its Coaster Hybrid EV minibus, the company’s first hybrid vehicle. Though the Coaster Hybrid is not a common name, it was the vehicle that started the hybrid revolution at Toyota. The Japanese automaker has now announced that cumulative sales of its hybrids have now topped the one-million mark in its home market. In addition, the company’s global hybrid sales now stand at 2.68 million and counting.

In related news, Toyota announced that the Prius topped the sales charts in Japan once again, marking the 14th consecutive month that the Prius outsold all other models in the Japanese market. While Toyota is comfortably leading the way in hybrid sales, the company is committed to bolstering its lead. Toyota plans to introduce hybrid versions of all of its existing models by 2020 and aims to sell more than one million hybrids per year before the end of the decade. Follow the jump for more info on Toyota’s continued dominance of the hybrid segment.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota’s hybrid sales break a million in Japan, Prius still on top

Toyota’s hybrid sales break a million in Japan, Prius still on top originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Aug 2010 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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