Toyota Recalls 420,000 Cars, SUVs and Minivans

Toyota has issued a voluntary recall to a correct a potential defect with the power steering pump. The recall affects about 283,000 Toyota and 137,000 Lexus vehicles in the U.S, the company says.

In the recall are V-6 models of the following vehicles:

• 2004 Toyota Avalon
• 2004-05 Toyota Camry
• 2004-05 Toyota Highlander
• 2004-05 Toyota Sienna
• 2004-05 Toyota Camry Solara
• 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
• 2004-05 Lexus ES 330 
• 2004-05 Lexus RX 330
• 2006 Lexus RX 400h

No four-cylinder models are involved in the recall, Toyota says.

Lexus' 'December to Remember' Sale Already Started

Lexus' iconic red-bow sales program, December to Remember, begins earlier this year, with financing and lease specials available now on various 2011 and 2012 models.

Everyone is used to seeing winter holiday decorations hit department stores earlier each year, but the fact that the sale is named after the month of December and will run through all of November is a bit humorous to us, but likely not to the company.

Inventory recoveries after Japan's earthquake disruptions have prompted the brand to move the program ahead of its usual Thanksgiving kickoff, Lexus chief Mark Templin told reporters yesterday. This year's December to Remember began Tuesday and ends Jan. 3.
 
Specials vary by region. We contacted Lexus dealers in greater New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Here's what we learned:

2012 Lexus Lineup Gets Minor Price Changes

When Lexus’ 2012 lineup hits dealerships later this summer through the fall, nearly half will have the same price as the outgoing 2011 versions. Price increases for other model and trims are minimal, ranging from $200 to $700.

Most of the 2012 lineup remains pretty much unchanged compared with 2011, too. There’s no GS sedan for 2012, but an all-new 2013 Lexus GS 350 was just unveiled and will go on sale in early 2012; pricing hasn’t been announced.

The 2012 Lexus CT 200h gets a standard virtual engine sound — similar systems are found on the Infiniti M35h and Nissan Leaf. A new F Sport Package is available on the CT 200h as a factory option on Premium trims only. Pricing isn’t known.

The 2012 Lexus HS 250h makes use of more eco-friendly bioplastic materials upholstery and carpeting in the cabin. The 2012 GX 460 now has bodyside moldings and high-gloss-finished 18-inch wheels standard.

The 2012 Lexus IS F gets new 19-inch wheel designs, wider rear tires and new shock absorbers, all of which will improve handling, Lexus says. The IS F comes with red leather upholstery for 2012, replacing the two-toned orange/black setup.

Destination fees for all models are set at $875, the same as last year. Continue reading below for more pricing details.

2011 Saab 9-5, 2011-12 Volkswagen CC Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Saab 9-5 and the 2011 and 2012 Volkswagen CC received the Top Safety Pick designation in the midsize luxury/near-luxury category from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

These cars had previously earned the title, which is awarded to vehicles that receive the agency’s top rating — Good — in front, side and rear crash tests, and have electronic stability control. But that was before IIHS implemented its tough roof-strength test, making it harder for new cars to be named Top Safety Picks. To pass the test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. The VW CC’s roof can withstand 4.4 times its own weight; the 9-5 can withstand 5.85 times its own weight.

The Top Safety Pick designation on the CC applies only to the front-wheel-drive model because the heavier all-wheel-drive model was rated Acceptable in the roof-strength test.

Neither vehicle has been fully tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, whose tests include more side impact test data.

Altogether, IIHS recently completed roof-strength tests for eight midsize/large family and luxury cars. The 2011 Lexus ES 350 earned a Good rating in roof strength, but it was rated Acceptable for rear crash protection. The 2011 BMW 3 Series, Chevrolet Impala, Infiniti G series, Lexus IS and Saab 9-3 all earned Acceptable ratings in the roof-strength test.

Buick Sales Soar Past Lexus

An air of hyperbole seems to float in the mainstream media about the success of General Motors, Chrysler and Ford. They cite things like earnings reports, repaying debt, you name it. But they don’t usually tackle the concrete sales of cars.

When you look at the numbers, one success story clearly stands above all: Buick outsold Lexus in February, for the second month in a row. Buick also outsold Mercedes-Benz (if you discount sales of the Sprinter work van), along with Audi and Acura. Only BMW outsold Buick on the strength of BMW’s new X3 SUV. The storied German brand topped Buick by 800 units.

The story, though, is Buick. With just four vehicles in showrooms — the Enclave crossover and the LaCrosse, Lucerne and Regal sedans — it has outsold the nearly unbeatable Lexus.

Lexus Announces October Incentives

Lexus has had some generous lease deals in the past, and October’s incentives will be no different. To move the metal – Lexus’ sales were down 5.5% in September – the automaker is offering early lease maturities, waiving up to six early payments, for folks who purchase or lease a new Lexus through Lexus Financial Services.There’s also a conquest trade-in offer, the company is offering $1,000 for turning in a competitor’s vehicle for a new Lexus purchase or lease.

The automaker is also offering generous lease deals. The company is offering low $389-$399 a month lease rates on the 2010 Lexus ES and $339-$359 a month deals on the 2010 Lexus IS. Like Toyota, Lexus deals vary by region. To check out the special lease and financing offers in your area, go to Lexus’ website.

Below are the October incentives:  

NHTSA to Test Lexus Vehicle, Investigate Electronics for All Automakers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration purchased a 2006 Lexus ES 350 attached to a sudden acceleration complaint in order to test the vehicle. The Lexus was once owned by Rhonda and Eddie Smith of Tennessee, who testified before Congress that in a harrowing incident the vehicle accelerated suddenly on the freeway for six minutes before Rhonda Smith regained control.

NHTSA will study the vehicle at its Vehicle Research and Test Center in East Liberty, Ohio.

Additionally, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that electronic throttles — which have come under scrutiny in the sudden acceleration investigation — will come under review by U.S. safety officials. This applies not just to Toyota, but all automakers. The purpose will be to see if electromagnetic interference (for instance, from power lines) could affect vehicles’ computer systems.

NHTSA Will Test Runaway Toyota Vehicle (Detroit News)

Inside Toyota's Recall Solutions

Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons shows the newly redesigned all-weather floormat (right) compared to the old floormat (left). The new floormat is thinner, smaller and more flexible.

In a three-hour session on Thursday, Toyota summarized and demonstrated for reporters what it’s doing to correct the acceleration and braking problems that led it to recall millions of cars around the world. The fixes they’re employing address both short- and long-term solutions as the automaker looks to remove consumer doubts about the quality of its vehicles.

Sticky Accelerator Pedal Recall
Vehicles Recalled in U.S.: 2.3 million
Vehicles Repaired: As of Thursday morning, more than 600,000
Short-Term Fix: Existing cars receive a metal shim inserted to increase spring tension on the pedal to help it spring back or a redesigned pedal assembly replaces the original pedal assembly.
Long-Term Fix: New cars have redesigned pedal assembly.

Since repairs started Feb. 5, Toyota dealers have processed more than 50,000 vehicles a day, but many observers, including U.S. lawmakers preparing for congressional hearings about the Toyota recalls next week, want to know exactly when Toyota became aware of the problem.

Toyota Launches Throttle Control Investigation

Toyota announced via its media website that it has launched a new investigation into claims that its electronic throttle control system is the root cause of numerous unintended acceleration complaints that led to two recalls covering more than 6 million vehicles.

Toyota has hired an outside engineering firm in California named Exponent, which has already completed early evaluations of a number of vehicles equipped with this system.

“The interim report, dated February 4, 2010, notes that Exponent was unable to induce unintended acceleration in any of the ETCS-i equipped Toyota and Lexus vehicles it tested. In all cases, the vehicle either behaved normally or entered a fail-safe mode where engine power was significantly reduced or shut off,” Toyota said in the statement.

Toyota calls that test the “first phase” but does not expand on what else will be involved and for how long, despite calling the move a “commitment to increased transparency.”

We’ll update you when we hear more conclusive results. We also think it would make some sense for Toyota to ask the government to take part in these tests as an impartial observer, since the Japanese company is funding them.

Two Toyota Recalls Explained

After last night’s news that Toyota is adding another 1.1 million vehicles to an October 2009 recall involving floormats getting stuck under accelerators, we think it's a good time to explain the two recalls and the vehicles included in each one.  In all, 13 models are included in both recalls, totaling nearly 6 million cars, and 1.7 million of those are involved in both recalls.

Last week, Toyota announced a recall of 2.3 million vehicles because of a faulty accelerator pedal that could become stuck and lead to unintended acceleration. This recall is for a completely separate issue than the floormat-related recall. However, both lead to the same end result — unintended acceleration. The vehicles in the accelerator pedal recall include:

• 2009-10 RAV4
• 2009-10 Corolla
• 2009-10 Matrix
• 2005-10 Avalon
• Certain 2007-10 Camry models
• 2010 Highlander
• 2007-10 Tundra
• 2008-10 Sequoia
• 2009-10 Pontiac Vibe