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Toyota recalls 2.77million vehicles over steering shaft defect
By Ray Massey, Transport Editor
PUBLISHED: 14:28, 14 November 2012 | UPDATED: 14:28, 14 November 2012
Toyota is recalling 75,000 vehicles in Britain because of a steering wheel fault which could result in a ‘loss of steering ability’ affecting 2.7 million cars worldwide.
Part of the lower steering column innards near the driver’s knee may ‘deform’ under certain conditions, said Toyota.
The UK recall affects the best-selling petrol-electric hybrid Prius, Corolla, and British-built Avensis models, though globally some nine models are affected.
Recall: Around 2.7 million Toyotas have been recalled worldwide, including the popular Avensis (pictured)
Concerns: A total of nine models have been recalled worldwide, including the Prius (pictured) all of which were built between August 2000 and April 2009
Safety: Toyota insists the problem thought to be affecting some of the vehicles - including Corolla models (pictured) is not a safety risk
The steering-wheel fault can lead to ‘a reduction in steering response’ and a ‘loss of steering ability’, said Toyota which insisted no accidents had yet been reported. The Avensis is built at Burnaston in Derbyshire.
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The recalls follow nine complaints across Europe about faulty steering and three reported cases of separate water-pump problems which are specific to the Prius hybrids alone.
It is the latest in a long line of Toyota recalls and comes just four weeks after the firm recalled more than seven million vehicles worldwide, including some Corolla and Camry models, over faulty window switches.
Toyota GB said it had registered recalls for certain Avensis and Corolla models (July 2001 to March 2009) and for Prius (July 2003 to April 2009) with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). All models are ‘previous generation’ and not new models currently on sale, it said.
WHICH TOYOTA MODELS ARE AFFECTED WORLDWIDE?
All of the models affected were built between August 2000 and April 2009 according to Toyota.
The 'hybrid vehicles' may have problems with their water pumps while the other cars affected could have faults with their steering columns.
The models affected in the UK are the best-selling Avensis, Prius and Corolla.
Other hybrid models affected worldwide include the Crown Sedan, the Estima and the Alphard.
The popular Isis, Corolla Runx, Corolla Alex, Corolla Spacio, Corolla Fielder, the Wish and the Will VS have also been called in by the the car giant.
Setting out the problem, Toyota GB said: ‘On certain Avensis, Corolla and Prius models (July 2001 to April 2009) there is a possibility of an issue with a component in the steering system, prompting a knocking or rattling and possibly a reduction in steering response.'
Components called ‘splines’ – a form of tubular locking device - which ‘connect the extension shaft to the steering gearbox may deform if the steering wheel is frequently and forcefully while driving at slow speeds.
Toyota says affected vehicles 'remain safe to drive' - and that there have been no reports of accidents caused by the problem. Nine cases of the problem have been reported in Europe.
Toyota dealers will carry out inspections to see if parts need to be replaced - which will take around an hour.
- Recall affects nine models including best-selling Pirus, Corolla and Prius
- Hybrid vehicles recalled due to issue with water pump while other models may have problem with their steering columns
- Comes just four weeks after the firm recalled more than seven million vehicles worldwide, including some Corolla and Camry models
- Firm says affected cars 'remain safe to drive' despite fault
By Ray Massey, Transport Editor
PUBLISHED: 14:28, 14 November 2012 | UPDATED: 14:28, 14 November 2012
Toyota is recalling 75,000 vehicles in Britain because of a steering wheel fault which could result in a ‘loss of steering ability’ affecting 2.7 million cars worldwide.
Part of the lower steering column innards near the driver’s knee may ‘deform’ under certain conditions, said Toyota.
The UK recall affects the best-selling petrol-electric hybrid Prius, Corolla, and British-built Avensis models, though globally some nine models are affected.
Recall: Around 2.7 million Toyotas have been recalled worldwide, including the popular Avensis (pictured) Concerns: A total of nine models have been recalled worldwide, including the Prius (pictured) all of which were built between August 2000 and April 2009 Safety: Toyota insists the problem thought to be affecting some of the vehicles - including Corolla models (pictured) is not a safety riskThe steering-wheel fault can lead to ‘a reduction in steering response’ and a ‘loss of steering ability’, said Toyota which insisted no accidents had yet been reported. The Avensis is built at Burnaston in Derbyshire.
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The recalls follow nine complaints across Europe about faulty steering and three reported cases of separate water-pump problems which are specific to the Prius hybrids alone.
It is the latest in a long line of Toyota recalls and comes just four weeks after the firm recalled more than seven million vehicles worldwide, including some Corolla and Camry models, over faulty window switches.
Toyota GB said it had registered recalls for certain Avensis and Corolla models (July 2001 to March 2009) and for Prius (July 2003 to April 2009) with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). All models are ‘previous generation’ and not new models currently on sale, it said.
WHICH TOYOTA MODELS ARE AFFECTED WORLDWIDE?
All of the models affected were built between August 2000 and April 2009 according to Toyota.
The 'hybrid vehicles' may have problems with their water pumps while the other cars affected could have faults with their steering columns.
The models affected in the UK are the best-selling Avensis, Prius and Corolla.
Other hybrid models affected worldwide include the Crown Sedan, the Estima and the Alphard.
The popular Isis, Corolla Runx, Corolla Alex, Corolla Spacio, Corolla Fielder, the Wish and the Will VS have also been called in by the the car giant.
Setting out the problem, Toyota GB said: ‘On certain Avensis, Corolla and Prius models (July 2001 to April 2009) there is a possibility of an issue with a component in the steering system, prompting a knocking or rattling and possibly a reduction in steering response.'
Components called ‘splines’ – a form of tubular locking device - which ‘connect the extension shaft to the steering gearbox may deform if the steering wheel is frequently and forcefully while driving at slow speeds.
Toyota says affected vehicles 'remain safe to drive' - and that there have been no reports of accidents caused by the problem. Nine cases of the problem have been reported in Europe.
Toyota dealers will carry out inspections to see if parts need to be replaced - which will take around an hour.
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