Toyota recalls in latest woe
By Malcolm Foster |
October 22, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TOYOTA is recalling 1.53 million Lexus, Avalon and other models, mostly in the United States and Japan, for brake fluid and fuel pump problems, the latest in a string of quality problems for the world's No. 1 auto maker.
Toyota Motor Corp said yesterday it will call back for repairs about 740,000 cars in the US and 599,000 in Japan. The remainder are in Europe and other markets around the world.
Over the past year, Toyota has recalled more than 10 million cars and trucks worldwide for a variety of problems, from faulty gas pedals and floor mats that can trap accelerators, to braking problems in its Prius hybrid. In August, Toyota recalled 1.33 million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks in the US and Canada because their engines may stall.
The majority of vehicles this time around need to be fixed for a problem with the brake master cylinder, which could lead to weaker braking power, said spokesman Paul Nolasco in Tokyo.
Some models in Japan and elsewhere - but not in North America - have an electrical problem with the fuel pump, which could lead the engine to stall, Nolasco said.
No accidents have been reported from the two defects, he said.
Ryuichi Saito, auto analyst with Mizuho Investors Securities in Tokyo, said Toyota may have learned a lesson earlier this year when it faced harsh criticism, particularly in the US, for dragging its feet on safety problems and recalls. American regulators hit Toyota with a $16.4 million fine for failing to promptly tell the government about its car defects.
"Toyota's image suffered because it was slow and so it is trying to be quick with its response," Saito said.
Toyota Motor Corp said yesterday it will call back for repairs about 740,000 cars in the US and 599,000 in Japan. The remainder are in Europe and other markets around the world.
Over the past year, Toyota has recalled more than 10 million cars and trucks worldwide for a variety of problems, from faulty gas pedals and floor mats that can trap accelerators, to braking problems in its Prius hybrid. In August, Toyota recalled 1.33 million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks in the US and Canada because their engines may stall.
The majority of vehicles this time around need to be fixed for a problem with the brake master cylinder, which could lead to weaker braking power, said spokesman Paul Nolasco in Tokyo.
Some models in Japan and elsewhere - but not in North America - have an electrical problem with the fuel pump, which could lead the engine to stall, Nolasco said.
No accidents have been reported from the two defects, he said.
Ryuichi Saito, auto analyst with Mizuho Investors Securities in Tokyo, said Toyota may have learned a lesson earlier this year when it faced harsh criticism, particularly in the US, for dragging its feet on safety problems and recalls. American regulators hit Toyota with a $16.4 million fine for failing to promptly tell the government about its car defects.
"Toyota's image suffered because it was slow and so it is trying to be quick with its response," Saito said.
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