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.

Recall Alert: 2006-07 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h

Toyota is recalling 45,500 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h crossovers from the 2006 and 2007 model years due to a defective power module. Some of the transistors on the module were “inadequately soldered” during manufacture and could become damaged.

If the parts do fail, the car will alert drivers with warning lights on the gauge display and then enter either a fail-safe or “limp home” mode. In a worst case scenario, the entire hybrid system will fail and the car will be essentially dead.

The recall will begin in mid-July when Toyota is able to obtain enough replacement parts to address the full recall. For more info, owners can call Toyota at 800-331-4331, Lexus at 800-255-3987 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 888-327-4236.

Incentives Diet: Buy This, Not That

This month, incentives continue to be sparse even as more 2012 model year vehicles arrive at dealerships. That means shoppers need to be savvy about what types of incentives are available, namely low financing offers, and how the right mix of financing can save big money, even if the sticker price is higher than the competition.

2011 Toyota Sienna LE V-6 vs. 2011 Chrysler Town & Country Base

In our recent Minivan Shootout the redesigned Town & Country took the No. 2 spot behind the Honda Odyssey, while the popular Toyota Sienna finished dead last. That doesn’t mean the Sienna isn’t a good vehicle; it’s one of our Best Bets. It also seems to be a better value than the Town & Country in terms of price when similarly equipped and even more so after taking lower financing into account.

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.

Toyota Recalls 2 Million More Cars for Pedal Issues

Toyota announced today that it would begin a new round of voluntary recalls covering nearly 2 million more vehicles for various issues surrounding pedal entrapment. The recall includes popular models like the Toyota Highlander and RAV4. This brings Toyota's total number of recalls since 2009 to nearly 15 million vehicles.

The move comes after a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and NASA concluded there was no electronic malfunction leading to unintended acceleration. These recalls address either the same floormat interference issue of past recalls or two new modifications of floormats, carpet and connectors.
 
Three models — totaling 1.4 million vehicles — are being added to the November 2009 recall for pedal entrapment.

NHTSA Gives 2011 Acura MDX 5-Star Crash Rating

The 2011 Acura MDX received an overall rating of five stars in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new crash-test rating system, the safety agency announced today.

The MDX’s overall composite score is composed of a four-star frontal, four-star rollover and a perfect five-star rating for the combined side pole and barrier tests. The side barrier test is an area where other vehicles have shown weakness with the safety agency’s new testing format. The side pole test simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.

2011 Lexus RX 350 Video

The Lexus RX 350 has been one of the most popular luxury crossovers on the market for many years. Much of the model’s success relates to its stress-free drive and parking ability, according to Cars.com editor Bill Jackson. In general, the crossover is an easy one to live with day-to-day, and Lexus didn’t mess with that proven formula with its latest generation.

Recall Alert: 728,544 Toyota and Lexus Vehicles

Toyota is recalling 728,544 vehicles, including the 2005-06 Avalon, 2004-06 Highlander, 2004-06 Lexus RX 330 and 2006 Lexus GS 300, IS 250 and IS 350 to replace a brake master cylinder seal. A small amount of brake fluid could leak from the master cylinder, leading the brake warning lamp to illuminate. Drivers could experience weaker brake response as a result.

Toyota has recalled over 7 million vehicles in the U.S. over the past two years for problems with floormats, brakes, gas pedals and most recently steering. Using incentives to drive sales, the automaker had been trying to come back from the image hit it took because of the numerous recalls.  

In this most recent recall, if the warning lamp is illuminated and the vehicle is driven without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel. Braking performance could gradually decline.

Owners of the recalled vehicles will be notified of the recall by mail in early November. Toyota and Lexus dealerships will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed one for free.

For more information, owners can call Toyota at 800-331-4331 or Lexus at 800-255-3987.