The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that it has received six consumer complaints, and other manufacturer reports supplied through Early Warning Reporting data submissions, all of which allege a fire in the driver's side door.
Read more »
Starting with Toyota, the Japanese carmaker has issued a recall on a total of 427 RAV4 vehicles manufactured from November 24, 2011, through December 19, 2011, because the curtain shield airbags may not deploy. Toyota said it would check the RAV4s and if necessary, replace the assemblies. The safety recall is expected to begin in early March.
Read more »
The Reuters story, which Carscoop also reported on, said that the RAV-4 EV would only be sold to fleet customers and car sharing programs, citing Geri Yoza, the National Business Planning Manager of Advanced Vehicle Marketing, as the source.
Here’s Toyota’s official statement:
“Recent reports have incorrectly stated that the 2012 RAV4 EV will only be marketed to fleet and car sharing programs. We’d like to set the record straight. The 2012 RAV4 EV will definitely be sold to the general public. We anticipate robust public interest in the RAV4 EV and are keen to inform consumers that their future vehicle options include a battery electric ToyotaRead more »
Instead, the EV version of the Japanese company’s popular SUV will be leased only to fleet customers and car sharing programs.
Read more »
The Japanese company said that the next generation of its best-selling model will move away from the conservative designs of the past.
“Designed to meet the changing needs of the 21st Century driver, the new Camry will provide technologically advanced features, a contemporary design inside and out, improved performance and refined ride and handling,” Toyota said in a press statement.
Read more »
More specifically, Toyota is recalling approximately 20,000 Lexus GS 300 and GS 350 All-Wheel Drive vehicles from the 2006-2007 model years to modify the shape of the plastic pad embedded in the driver’s side floor carpet. According to the company, if the floor carpet is not properly replaced in the correct position after a service operation, it is possible that the plastic pad embedded into the floor carpet may jam against the accelerator pedal and keep it from returning to the idle position.
According to local newspapers, seven new Toyota models had their interiors vandalized by three young men, aged 20, 21 and 28. We don't know what really caused this deviant behavior, but one report attributes it to the fact that the three vandals were allegedly angry "about American jobs going overseas".
Read more »
The big news for the 2011 lineup is the installation of brake override technology as standard equipment across the range. This technology is designed to stop a car if the brakes and accelerator are applied simultaneously (see Consumer Report's video after the jump) and was adopted by Toyota to ease consumer concerns over sudden acceleration of its vehicles.
Aside from the redesigned 2011 Avalon that was introduced with the safety feature, brake override technology is now standard on the Yaris, RAV4 SUV, Land Cruiser SUV, Sequoia SUV and Tundra pickup truck.
There are more changes on certain models for the 2011 model year that you can check out in detail in the press release after the jump.
Read more »
Earlier this month, a Tesla executive announced that the maker of the electric Roadster will deliver two EV prototypes to Toyota by the end of July, without providing any specific details about the cars.
Read more »
The exterior updates are concentrated up front and include a newly designed bonnet, a wider grille with horizontal bars and chrome accents, new headlights, with projector-type low beam lamps and a reshaped bumper. These changes bring the RV-4 in line with the Toyota's latest models such as the Avensis, Verso and Auris.
Now to the updated Vanguard that was launched in Japan today. For 2010, the Vanguard benefits form a few minor cosmetic tweaks that include the restyled grille and front bumper, the new alloy wheel designs and fresh body trim.
Inside, Toyota added new standard features and redesigned the steering wheel together with the paddle shifters that are said to be more ergonomic.
Finally, the Japanese firm's engineers made a few changes to the Vanguard's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine resulting in improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.
-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.
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)
Continuing the announcements on its revised U.S. market lineup, Toyota has released details on the 2010 model year RAV-4. Changes include the addition of the backup monitor system with rear-view camera and monitor integrated into the electrochromic mirror to the Base model while the Sport grade now offers a new optional JBL audio system with steering wheel audio controls and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity.
Moreover, Toyota is expanding the availability of the Sport Appearance package that was initially introduced for the 2009 4x4 269HP 3.5-liter V6 models, on the Sport grade 4x2 and 4x4 versions equipped with the 179HP 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in early 2010. Other external cues include
On the outside, the Sport Appearance Package adds a specific rear door design featuring chrome accents and no spare tire (run-flat tires come as standard), color-keyed power, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, a stainless steel exhaust tip and special badging while retaining the Sport grade's 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the Sport Appearance Package upgrades the RAV-4's cabin with a chrome accented shift knob with a leather insert, chrome interior door handles, parking brake and vent trim, and specific doorsills.
*All photos depict the 2009 Toyota RAV-4 V6 Sport Grade with the Sport Appearance Package
It may have passed your attention, but Friday was the opening day of the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show. Aside from the Camry Hybrid study, Toyota also revealed two new locally developed show cars in Melbourne. The modified Yaris and RAV4 are the result of collaboration with Australian promoter of street car shows and events, Auto Salon. "Basically, Toyota gave us the cars and told us to go crazy," said project leader William Ng.
Starting off with the Auto Salon RAV4, the show car stands out thanks to its bright red pearlescent custom paint job, massive 22-inch wheels and tires, new front and rear bumper panels, deep side skirts and "shaved" external door handles. Furthermore, Auto Salon equipped the RAV4 with a custom-built airbag suspension that allows the compact SUV to be lowered on its wheels by up to 250mm for display purposes and then raised again for driving.
The Auto Salon Yaris is an even more extreme proposition distinguished by a camouflage paint-scheme and modified "double-wide" bodywork featuring guards that have been heavily flared to house over-sized 17-inch raised titanium lip wheels and 245/40 Michelin Pilot Preceda tires. The city car's suspension has also been modified with the addition of Buddy Club coil-over suspension adjustable for ride and rebound.
Other modifications include the addition of race-style TRD Recaro driver and front passenger seats, a TRD instrument gauge cluster mounted on the steering column and a high-end Fujitsu Eclipse sound system featuring four amplifiers and six sub-woofers.
