Toyota will recall 4,500 cars over steering flaw
By Jay Alabaster |
May 20, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
TOYOTA said yesterday it will recall 4,500 Lexus vehicles in Japan to fix a computerized steering problem, with another 7,000 vehicles overseas also likely affected.
The world's biggest auto maker has received 12 complaints about the problem within Japan, but knows of no accidents that it has caused worldwide, according to spokesman Paul Nolasco.
After being hit with a record US$16.4 million fine in the US and facing strong government criticism both at home and abroad for slow responses to safety problems, Toyota Motor Corp is working to react more quickly. The company on Tuesday paid the fine in the US, where it still faces hundreds of state and federal lawsuits.
The latest issue affects Toyota's luxury Lexus "LS" line, and involves a computerized system that oversees how the steering wheel controls the tires. The Lexus line is Toyota's top-priced luxury sedan brand, and includes the "LS 600h" hybrid.
In addition to the 4,500 cars sold in Japan, about 7,000 have been sold abroad, including about 800 in China.
The steering system comes as standard in Japanese models, but is optional in some other regions. It varies the amount that the steering wheel turns the tires on a car, allowing drivers to turn the wheel less at low speeds when attempting to navigate or park in tight spots and providing finer control at high speeds.
The system can take "a few seconds" to return the steering to normal after it has been adjusted, which led to complaints, Nolasco said.
He said Toyota was preparing to conduct a recall in Japan soon, but wasn't sure of the exact timing.
Toyota is facing a new investigation by authorities in the US because it waited a year to recall vehicles there after a similar recall in Japan.
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