The move was prompted over the possibility of excessive corrosion affecting the rear cross-member of the truck, especially in northern states that use salts and other de-icers to treat road surfaces in winter weather.
The corrosion can threaten the truck’s rear brake performance, leading to a failure of the brake system. "If this occurs, it can lead to the loss of the rear brake circuits which will increase vehicle stopping distances and the risk of a crash,” warned the automaker.
Advise to truck owners
To minimize the risk of a possible road mishap, Toyota has advised the owners to remove the spare tire mounted under the body of the vehicle until the truck is brought to the dealer for inspection and repairs.
"In the worst case, the spare tire stowed under the truck bed may become separated from the rear cross-member. Spare tire separation will create a road hazard for following vehicles and increase the likelihood of a crash," said the Japanese auto maker in a statement.
"This is not a cosmetic issue," said Sean Kane, an auto safety expert. "This is a safety problem that can lead to the collapse of the vehicle and lead to loss of control crashes on the road."
Models and regions affected
NHTSA was investigating complaints of corrosion on Tundra models of 2000 and 2001, but further scrutiny revealed a similar pattern in the 2002 and 2003 models.
According to the agency, the safety recall includes Tundras "that are registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia."
Offer to fix the defect of damaged trucks
The automaker plans to inform the affected owners by post in December to bring their trucks to a dealership for inspection. Toyota will take care of the vehicles on a case–by–case basis.
They will gauge the extent of the damage and either replace the affected portion of the frame or apply rust-resistant compound to the affected area free of charge.
This is the second safety problem Toyota has encountered this year. In October, the automaker had been involved in a recall regarding floor mats that were suspected of blocking accelerators in some Lexus and Toyota units.
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