The Toyota recall list for 2010, released by Toyota in January 2010, had once again been a factor to reduce Toyota’s popularity. Nevertheless, this world-class brand and major automobile giant had undertaken valiant efforts to get rid of all problems and help its clients.
While reading the book, The Toyota Way, by Jeffrey Liker, I was awestruck and full of admiration for some marvelous fundamentals of operations management. Not surprisingly, the Toyota way (one of the recognized management philosophy of the Toyota corporation), had helped Toyota become a legend in automobile manufacturing. For almost 8-10 months of 2009, the world’s most reliable and popular brand, Toyota, had to face some serious set back with regard to its established superiority, when it had to recall millions of vehicles in the US and some parts of Europe. The Toyota recall list in November 2009 and the one in January 2010 had somewhat reduced its popularity. However, Toyota has made all possible efforts to keep its customers benefits in mind. The recall by Toyota that fall was the largest auto recall in US history until then.
What Compelled Toyota to Launch a Recall List?
- The reasons for launching the recall included the occurrences of various accidents and mishaps that occurred over a span of few months since Toyota had started its recall list.
- Since November 2009, Toyota recalled nearly 4.2 million vehicles and corrected them, however, even after that, nearly 60 new cases of Toyota accidents were reported.
- The two major recalls that were made by Toyota were for correcting problems related to sticking pedal accelerator and potential floor mat interference with accelerator, that are believed to have been causing major road safety issues while driving. Knowing about them will further give more information about these problems.
Potential Problems
Sticking Pedal Accelerator Problems
It had been found that in some rare instances, due to environmental conditions, there is a possibility that the accelerator pedal, and its working may mechanically halt resulting in serious mishaps.
Potential Floor Mat Interference with Accelerator Problems
In many cases, as confirmed by Toyota, an incompatible floor mat can interfere with or entrap accelerator pedal causing it to get stuck in a wide open position.
There had been an air of confusion between Toyota vehicle owners, if their models are involved in the recall operation.
Recall List
List of Models Recalled | |
Floor Mat Recall | Pedal Accelerator Recall |
2005 – 2010 Toyota Avalon | Certain 2009 – 2010 Toyota RAV4 |
2007 – 2010 Toyota Camry | Certain 2009 – 2010 Toyota Corolla |
2008 – 2010 Toyota Highlander | 2005 – 2010 Toyota Avalon |
2009 – 2010 Toyota Matrix | Certain 2007 – 2010 Toyota Camry |
2004 – 2009 Toyota Prius | Certain 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid |
2005 – 2010 Toyota Tacoma | Certain 2010 Toyota Highlander |
2007 – 2010 Toyota Tundra | 2007 – 2010 Toyota Tundra |
2009 – 2010 Toyota VENZA | 2008 – 2010 Toyota Sequoia |
Few vehicles may be included in both categories. Basically, for more comprehensive list of cars and vehicles, you should to visit the Toyota website, where the firm has listed all vehicles and updates about any new entrant in the recall list.
Besides that, you’ll get to know information on the Toyota website, if your model is included in the list by putting in your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), that is a unique identifier number for your vehicle and is used by insurances firms, motor vehicle licenses, and all legal purposes. All necessary details about recalls can be queried on the firm’s website.
Recall List – Present
As of 2015, based on reliable reports, Toyota has apparently been planning to recall a number of their models for certain problems pertaining to each one of them. Reports even suggest that Toyota is currently recalling them. The list of such vehicles are provided below. Bear in mind that there is no specific, reliable information that says that these vehicles have been recalled.
Toyota Camry
- Toyota is supposed to be recalling 20,000 2014 Toyota Camry, Avalon, Highlander, Sienna, and 2015 Lexus RX vehicles to rectify a fuel leak.
- The 2012-2013 Toyota Camry, Camry Hybrid, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, and Venza may be recalled due to malfunctioning air-conditioning condensers.
- 110,000 vehicles of 2015 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid sedans may also be recalled by the company, owing to problems with the power steering.
Toyota Tundra
- Toyota may recall 130,000 of the 2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax Cab and Double Cab trucks, reason being, component interference with side-curtain airbags.
- A miniature recall may also be scheduled for 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla, Matrix, Tundra, Lexus SC 430, and Sequoia defective airbags.
Toyota Tacoma
- An approximate number of 690,000 of 2005-’11 Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks may be recalled due to faulty rear suspension system.
- Also, 342,000 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab pickups produced from 2004-2011 may be recalled due to defective seat belts.
- To resolve software problems that may harm the vehicle’s traction control, overall stability, and brake systems, the company may recall 260,000 of 2012 Toyota RAV4 crossovers and 2012-’13 Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks.
Toyota Sienna
- Around 25,500 of 2015 Toyota Sienna minivans are on the recalling list due to the possible detachment of the second-row overhead assist grips.
- 370,000 of 2004-2011 Toyota Sienna minivans in the U.S. May be recalled, because the spare tire may fall off due to cable rusting.
- Toyota may also recall around 615,000 vehicles of 2004-2005 and 2007-2009 Toyota Sienna minivans in the U.S. This is probably due to the faulty shift lever assembly.
The success of Toyota in overcoming the problems faced by clients and customers, is definitely a challenging situation. Seeing the stature and technological expertise of Toyota, it can be certainly said that its engineers and management will leave no stone unturned to eliminate these problems.