The Toyota Sequoia recall is the latest known failure of SUV stability control and the latest addition to the growing Toyota recall list. Flickr photo.

Another Toyota recall has been issued. Wednesday, Toyota Motor Corp. announced a program to upgrade software to prevent a loss of control in turns for about 50,000 Toyota Sequoia SUVs made in early 2003. The Toyota Sequoia recall is yet another fire for Toyota’s public relations department to extinguish. The automaker has been hemorrhaging money and losing market share. The growing Toyota recall list adds insult to injury in an anemic market for new cars and trucks. Toyota Sequoia recall notices will start going out to affected owners next month.

Adding to the Toyota recall list

The Toyota Sequoia recall to fix the vehicles’ electronic stability control follows closely on the heels of a rare “don’t buy” rating for the Lexus GX 460 issued by Consumer Reports. Tests on the Lexus GX 460 performed by the magazine exposed defects in the electronic stability control that could cause a rollover of the SUV in everyday driving. After the Consumer Reports “don’t buy” rating, production of the Lexus GX 460 was suspended. Consumers are reluctant to get auto financing for Toyotas because of a parade of bad PR that started in 2009 with widespread reports of braking and unintended acceleration problems.

Reason for Toyota Sequoia recall

In the Toyota Sequoia recall announcement, Toyota said drivers in vehicles without the upgrade could experience the stability control system briefly activating at low speeds – less than 10 mph – as the Sequoia accelerates from a stop. This could prevent the vehicle from accelerating as fast as the driver expects. No injuries or accidents as a result of this condition have been reported so far. Electronic Stability Control is a computerized system that coordinates the brakes and accelerator to help maintain control in unexpected situations.

Toyota Sequoia recall now official

The Los Angeles Times reports that Toyota has known about the Sequoia  stability control problem for seven years. Toyota fixed the problem on later models financed with auto loans. Dealers have been taking care of individual owners of early 2003 Toyota Sequoias if they complained about the problem. An investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of electronic stability control malfunctions in Toyota Sequoias turned up 163 safety-related failure incidents in the last 18 months. The latest Toyota recall contributes to a total of about 10.5 million Toyota recall notices worldwide in the last seven months for problems ranging from unintended acceleration to braking and corrosion.

The Toyota recall list

A few weeks before the Toyota Sequoia recall announcement, the Consumer Reports warning not to get a car loan to buy a 2010 Lexus GX 460  led to a recall of 9,400  of the SUVs. Soon after, a Toyota recall, this time voluntary, was issued for about 600,000 Sienna minivans sold in the U.S. because of possible corrosion in the spare-tire carrier cable. But there’s more. Recently the federal government slapped Toyota with a record $16.4-million fine for failing to inform the public that gas pedals in eight models could stick and cause sudden acceleration. It was the largest fine on an automaker ever levied by the NHTSA.

A new Toyota is great – but not if it's on the Toyota recall list 2010.

Automakers have taken a pounding lately, and the recent Toyota recall list certainly doesn’t help matters. 2.3 million cars had already been recalled of late, but now eight model lines are being taken off the U.S. market so that a gas pedal problem can be worked around. Talking about needing payday loans! Various sources indicate that Toyota lost $7.1 billion in 2009. Their reputation for reliable cars had been solid, and who knows how much more money they’ll lose now.

Sudden acceleration is a bad thing

Apparently the design of the gas pedal mechanism can cause the gas pedal to stick, causing dangerous, unanticipated acceleration. Imagine: Toyota uses these defective parts in both the United States and Europe. They will likely have to recall two million cars in Europe, which I’m sure they’re ecstatic about.

What if your gas pedal sticks?

Jeff Bartlett of Consumer Reports says that the first thing to do is not panic. Then immediately shift the car into neutral to get it out of gear and quell the additional acceleration. You’ll still be able to steer and brake, so you’ll still be able to save your own live (and perhaps the lives of others).

What cars are on the Toyota recall list?

If you happen to have one of these Toyota models in your garage, here’s what you should do: Call your dealer so they can assess the situation with your accelerator. Toyota has a hotline at (800) 331-4331 if you’d like more details. The models on the Toyota recall list are as follows:

• Highlander crossover (2010)
• Tundra pickup (2007-10)
• Sequoia large SUV (2008-10)
• Matrix hatchback (2009-10)
• Avalon large-size sedan (2005-10)
• RAV4 (2009-10)
• Corolla (2009-10)
• Camry (2007-10)

If you see your car on this list, act now. Your payday loans source recommends that you don’t delay – the inconvenience isn’t worth your life.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mujitra/ / CC BY 2.0)

Related Video:

Floor mat problem? A personal loan will get you some super glue. (Photo: archie99.wordpress.com)

When the world’s largest automaker recalls 3.8 million cars, you know something serious is going on. That’s exactly what the recent Toyota recall has done because of floor mats that present a risk of causing accidents. Removing the mats and obtaining new ones (even if you need a personal loan to help you get just the right ones) present a much better course of action than endangering lives.

What models are affected by the Toyota recall?

Toyota:

• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2004-2009 Prius
• 2005-2010 Tacoma
• 2007-2010 Tundra

Lexus:

• 2007-2010 ES 350
• 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS 350

What problem do the floor mats cause?

Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have released a statement in which drivers are cautioned that the removable floor mats can easily shift while the vehicle is in motion, presenting a scenario where they can become stuck on the accelerator pedal. It can literally stick the accelerator to the floor, and in the case of at least one incident, has led to fatalities.

It could “cause a crash, serious injury or death”

Toyota was very clear of this in their statement regarding an open accelerator caused by a removable floor mat. Interestingly, this problem led to a ban of all-weather mats back in 2007, but the NHTSA noted that reports of rapid acceleration are still occurring “after the release of the pedal.” Is there another problem Toyota or Lexus owners should be concerned about?

A fatal crash in California got the Toyota recall rolling

According to CNN, investigators discovered that the fatal crash of a 2009 Lexus ES350 loaned to a family by a San Diego Lexus dealer “could have been caused” by slippage of the all-weather floor mat into the vicinity of the accelerator pedal.

Ray LaHood of the NHTSA rightly calls this “an urgent matter.” He continues in a statement to proclaim that “For everyone’s sake, we strongly urge owners of these vehicles to remove mats or other obstacles that could lead to unintended acceleration.”

[apply_button float="right"]

Take action immediately

If you are a Toyota or Lexus owner and your vehicle is one of the ones listed above, remove the floor mats immediately and contact your dealership for further information. If a replacement program exists, take advantage. If you must buy your own in order to protect the upholstery, do so. If you’re short of cash, get a personal loan – don’t risk your life in assuming your mats won’t be a problem.

Related Video: