USA RECALL - TOYOTA - Power Window Master Switch may short circuit, causing it to possibly melt and short circuit.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it is conducting a safety recall of approximately 2,000,000 vehicles related to the driver’s side Power Window Master Switch.  The involved vehicles include certain:

• 2007 and 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid
• 2009-2011 Corolla
• 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid
• 2009-2011 Matrix
• 2006-2011 RAV4
• 2009-2011 Sequoia
• 2009-2011 Tundra
• 2006-2010 Yaris
• 2009-2011 Scion xB
• 2009-2010 Scion xD

The Power Window Master Switch in the involved vehicles may have been manufactured with insufficient lubricant grease.  If not enough grease is applied, under certain conditions the switch may develop a short circuit that can cause the switch assembly to overheat and melt.  A melting switch can produce smoke and potentially lead to a fire. 

Toyota previously recalled certain 2007-2009 model year vehicles for a similar condition. This Safety Recall adds vehicles not previously involved in the prior action that utilized an alternative lubricant application method.  

Owners of the involved vehicles will be notified by first class mail. Toyota dealers will inspect the switch and apply heat-resistant grease.  If the switch is not operating normally, an internal circuit board will be replaced.

 

Information about automotive recalls, including but not limited to the list of involved vehicles, is subject to change over time.  

For the most up-to-date Safety Recall information on Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicles, customers should check their vehicle’s status by visiting toyota.com/recall and entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).  

Safety Recall inquiry by individual VIN is also available at the NHTSA site:safercar.gov/vin.  For any additional questions, customer support is also available by calling Toyota Customer Service at 1-800-331-4331, or Lexus Customer Service at 1-800-255-3987.

Hyundai Motor UK is celebrating its first decade as official Hyundai subsidiary.

• Hyundai Motor UK is celebrating its first decade as official Hyundai subsidiary
• Brand has sold over 600,000 units in the UK since 2005
• Market share has more than doubled to 3.5% - making it the fastest growing car manufacturer in the UK
• Growth led by new product - combining good design with unbeatable value
• £35.2 million invested into dealer network – with over 70% of the network changing since 2005
• Company’s import centre at Tilbury Docks, Essex has trebled in size

Hyundai Motor UK is this year celebrating its landmark anniversary of 10 years in the UK, since the subsidiary was founded in July 2005*. This period has been the most significant in the Company’s history both in the UK and Globally.

Since its official opening in 2005, Hyundai Motor UK has sold over 600,000 units, with over 82,000 cars sold in 2014 alone.  The brand’s market share has more than doubled from 1.5% to 3.5% making it the fastest growing car manufacturer in the UK. Hyundai Motor UK’s rapid growth can also be seen at the company’s import centre at Tilbury Docks in Essex, which has grown to three times its original size in order to accommodate the increased demand. 

Not only has the company grown in terms of volume, but the company has invested over £35.2 million in its dealer network over the past 10 years with over 70% of the dealer network changing since 2005. Most recently, Hyundai introduced its new dealer showroom identity.

  

Reinforcing Hyundai’s commitment to delivering exceptional levels of customer service, the new look dealership has evolved significantly. It combines open space, modern furnishings and the latest technology to deliver an enhanced customer experience. 

The Company has also recently introduced in partnership with Rockar, the world’s first digital retail experience – Rockar Hyundai - where it is possible to purchase a car online or in store in under five minutes. With over 120,000 visitors to the store in Bluewater over the last 7 months, the success of Rockar Hyundai so far shows that there is room to offer an alternative process for buying a car for those people that want it.

Globally, Hyundai Motor has sold over 37 million cars over the last decade –with 1.7 million cars sold in 2005, compared to 4.96 million in 2014. Additionally, Hyundai was named the 40^th most valuable brand in 2014, up 44 places since 2005**. This transition means Hyundai is the fastest growing automaker in the world, with a brand value increase of 200% over the 10 year period.

Professor Garel Rhys CBE, President for the Centre of Automotive Industry Research, Cardiff University states:

“Over the last ten years, Hyundai Motor has been the most significant and impressive car company on the world stage.  They are clearly number one in Korea despite the Asian Financial Crisis, they are one of the top companies in China and a major player in the US.  They have solidified their position in Europe by not just selling into but manufacturing in the region –this is the sign of a truly global company.

Rhys adds: “They have been able to tap into consumer preference in the UK by offering customers what they want and were quick to respond when the recession hit and the scrappage scheme was introduced –other brands had the right products at the right price but they failed to act as quickly.  Hyundai’s success though would not have continued without the investment in product.  In my opinion, Hyundai Motor has definitely been one of the smartest actors in the automotive industry over the lastdecade.”

Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor UK, said: “I joined Hyundai in 2005, and it’s fantastic to see how far the company has come in such a short space of time. Our success has been driven by three key areas: our product, our customer and our people.”

“In the last 10 years our product range has been completely transformed.  We have transitioned from a brand with product that was purchased on price and reliability to a brand with product that’s now also bought for its looks, technology and comfort.

“Back in 2009, we took a risk. When the government launched the ‘Scrappage Scheme’, we were ready and waiting to fulfill customer orders when many other manufacturers were running out of stock. It’s this move that led us from 28,000 sales in 2008 to over 61,000 in 2010.  However, our continued investment in product, the brand and the customer experience has ensured we are not just a one trick pony! 

“The brand has seen sales continue to rise year on year, with 15 consecutive quarter increases and this year looks set to be our best year to date.  But the best is yet to come – we are  targeting 100,000 sales in the UK in the next few years, with a long-term goal of being within the top five car brands in the UK in the not too distant future.” concludes Whitehorn.

David Neech, a loyal Hyundai customer from Seaford in East Sussex, commented: “My family and I have owned 20 Hyundai cars since 1992 - the first being a Sonata Saloon. Over that time, I have noticed great changes. I can’t believe how much technology is on my latest car. I still haven’t worked out what it all does! But the key thing is that even with more technology and equipment; Hyundais are still so reliable.

“The brand’s design has also evolved - each new model that the Company launches looks much more sophisticated. I have to say that I’m very proud to have the stylish ix35 sitting on my drive today.

Neech added: “My local dealership, Brooklyn Hyundai, has changed dramatically too. It is now magnificent, not that I have to visit there very often!  In fact, in 20 years I have only ever had one issue with a vehicle. What impresses me the most is that even though Hyundai has grown significantly over the past ten years, my local dealership’s service hasn’t faltered. They are always so friendly and welcoming and I still feel like a truly valued customer.”

To celebrate the 10^th anniversary, Hyundai Motor UK will be launching a world-first driving challenge in London.  More details will be released this Autumn.

The challenge will culminate in a celebratory event where another Hyundai milestone will be announced.

Takata airbag cars from Honda, Toyota, Jeep, Acura, Pontiac and Dodge all recalled AGAIN for airbag issues

American Honda, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. and Fiat Chrysler will do "follow up" recalls of about 2.12 million vehicles with defective electronic control units that can cause airbags to inadvertently deploy, U.S. auto safety regulators said Saturday.

The recall affects about 1 million vehicles from Toyota, 374,177 from American Honda and 753,176 from Fiat Chrysler. 

The affected vehicles are:

• 2002-03 Jeep Liberty and 2002-04 Jeep Grand Cherokees

• 2003-04 Honda Odyssey and 2003 Acura MDX (about 370,000 vehicles)

• 2003-04 Pontiac Vibe (made by Toyota); Dodge Viper; and Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix and Toyota Avalon.

The vehicles were recalled for the issue from 2012 to 2014, but automakers have found some cases of inadvertent deployment in vehicles that were fixed and the initial remedy was not fully effective, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

Inadvertent deployments

NHTSA says about 400 inadvertent airbag deployments, but no deaths, have occurred in the affected vehicles. That includes 39 deployments that were fixed under the initial recall, which involved installing filters or wire harnesses to protect a key circuit from electrical damage, NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said in a conference call.

The new remedy involves replacing the entire electronic control module, including the circuit involved in the inadvertent deployments, which is supplied by TRW. Rosekind said the agency is seeking additional information about the defect from TRW.

"TRW is supporting its customers in these recalls fully, and will cooperate with NHTSA and provide information to the Agency if requested," TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. said in a statement released late Saturday. The safety products supplier is in the process of being acquired by Germany's ZF Friedrichshafen AG in a deal valued at $13.5 billion. It is expected to close this spring.

Rosekind said the replacement modules won’t be fully available until the end of 2015, but the agency wants consumers who have not yet repaired their vehicles under the initial remedy to do so, and then return to their dealer a second time for the replacement module when they are available.

'Very complicated'

“This is going to be complicated for consumers because all of these vehicles were previously recalled to fix the inadvertent deployment problem. That fix does significantly decrease the chance of an inadvertent deployment but the remedy from those previous recalls is not fully effective,” Rosekind said.

“We’re urging vehicle owners who have not yet gone into their dealer to do so for the remedy, even if this means that they’re going to have to make another trip later for a more effective fix.”

The agency issued a safety advisory urging consumers to take their vehicles to dealerships for repairs. The advisory included FAQs for owners of the recalled vehicles.

Takata issues

Airbags have been directly or indirectly related to several million U.S. recalls in the past year. General Motors for much of 2014 dealt with a faulty ignition switch in small cars that would result in airbags failing to deploy in accidents. 

And more than 24 million vehicles equipped with Takata airbags have been recalled globally since 2008, according to Reuters estimates. At least six deaths have been linked to faulty airbag inflators made by Takata.

NHTSA said that of the vehicles affected by today's recall, about 1 million are also covered by recalls for Takata airbags that could explode upon deployment, NHTSA said.

Rosekind said nine of the inadvertent airbag deployments also involved a ruptured Takata airbag inflator, and three of those instances resulted in injury, including one eye injury.

“This makes it especially important for consumers to take action to prevent the inadvertent deployments that could cause serious injuries,” Rosekind said.

In a statement, Honda confirmed 374,000 of its vehicles are included in the U.S. recall: "Honda has received a small number of complaints of inadvertent airbag deployment in these vehicles after the original recall repair was completed. No crashes have been reported to Honda related to this issue."

Chrysler, in its statement, said its recall would also include nearly 50,000 vehicles in Canada, about 22,000 in Mexico and more than 103,633 outside of North America.

None of Chrysler’s recalled vehicle were equipped with Takata airbags, the automaker said.

Chrysler response

Chrysler issued a recall for the problem in 2012, and “a small number of vehicles affected by the initial campaign (approximately 0.003 percent of the total) were subject to post-repair inadvertent air-bag deployments,” Fiat Chrysler said in its statement.

“Some vehicle occupants suffered minor injuries from contact with the air bags; FCA US is aware of a single related accident.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, in a statement, said: "We expect the manufacturers to get this remedy right to prevent injury to drivers and their families."

Reuters and Bloomberg contributed to this report. 

Ryan Beene

REPORT HERE

USA - After GM, now it is Toyota (AGAIN) Pontiac, and Honda that issues recalls, will it ever end ?

On top of a new batch of GM recalls announced today, Toyota and Honda have issued recalls of their own. Toyota is recalling certain 2002-2004 Toyota Sequoia and Lexus SC models as well as 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla, Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Tundra, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. 

In almost 844,000 of these cars, the airbag inflator may rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash, releasing metal fragments that can strike passengers. The recall applies to the original airbags installed in the vehicle as well as any replacement airbags that may have been put in. 

Toyota will notify owners of recalled vehicles to come in for repairs, but so far it has not yet scheduled a date for the recall to begin. A smaller recall involves around 1,000 Honda Fit subcompacts for a driveshaft failure. In these cars, the driveshaft may break because of a heat treatment manufacturing error in the factory. This problem may cause the vehicle to lose power and coast to a stop if already in motion. But if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake activated, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. 

Only 2013 model year Fits equipped with manual transmissions are affected by this recall. The recall is expected to start June 15. All repairs for the Honda and Toyota recalls will be conducted free of charge. Consumers can contact Toyota customer service at (800) 331-4331 while Honda owners can call the automaker at (800) 999-1009. Pontiac Vibe owners can call GM at (800) 521-7300. For more information on all vehicle recalls in the U.S., visit www.safercar.gov

TOYOTA WORLDWIDE - 6.3 million Recall details

Toyota Motor Corp. today issued a massive recall of 6.39 million vehicles worldwide for a range of glitches, from faulty airbags and seat rails to defective windshield wipers.

The action covers five separate recalls, affecting about 2.34 million vehicles in North America and 810,000 in Europe. 

Toyota said it is unaware of any crashes, injuries or deaths caused by the problems, which span more than a dozen nameplates.

The largest of the five April 9 recalls, which covers spiral cables in airbags, ranks No. 3 in Toyota’s recall roster. Toyota’s largest single-part recall came in 2012 when it fixed fire-prone window switches. The No. 2 recall was the 2010 remedy of sticky gas pedals to address unintended acceleration.

The latest recalls were announced simultaneously, even though they are unrelated, because that is how the timing of the investigations unfolded, spokesman Brian Lyons said.

They come after Toyota agreed last month to a pay a penalty of $1.2 billion to the U.S. government for misleading consumers and concealing facts about unintended acceleration in its vehicles.

The rash of acceleration problems, traced to sticky gas pedals and unsecured or incompatible floor mats, triggered more than 9 million recalls – for various parts and design flaws.

A breakdown of the latest recalls and the units involved:

• Faulty spiral cables for driver’s air bags: 3.5 million

• Possible locking problems on seat rails: 2.32 million

• Failing steering column brackets: 760,000

• Windshield wipers with drainage problems: 160,000

• Possible fire hazard in starter motors: 20,000

The recalls total 6.76 million vehicles. But because some vehicles are involved in more than one recall, only 6.39 million vehicles are being remedied.

The 3.5-million vehicle spiral cable recall, the largest of the fixes, addresses a cable that can become damaged when the steering wheel turns. This may trigger a warning lamp and deactivate the air bag causing it not to deploy in a crash.

Outside Japan, the spiral cable recall involves certain RAV4, Corolla, Matrix, Yaris, Yaris Sedan, Highlander, Tacoma, Reiz, Hilux, Fortuner, Innova, Land Cruiser Prado and Camry nameplates. It also affects the Pontiac Vibe.

About 1.67 million of the vehicles are in North America; about 130,000 are in Europe. Toyota did not break it down by model.

Also on the fix-it list are driver’s side seat rails that may not lock in the adjusted position.

In some cases, the seat may move forward during an accident.

Outside Japan, the recall covers certain Scion xD, Urban Cruiser, Yaris and Yaris Sedan nameplates. About 670,000 vehicles are in North America; another 90,000 are in Europe.

The third recall remedies steering column brackets that can become unstable when the steering wheel is repeatedly turned with full force. In some cases, the bracket may fail to hold the steering column in place.

It affects certain Ist, Ractis and Yaris models. About 590,000 of them are in Europe. North America is unaffected. The last two recalls affect only models in Japan and Hong Kong.