htc***
08-26-2010, 09:17 PM
Japanese automaker Toyota has run into another technical problem, issuing a recall of 1.33 million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks in the U.S. and Canada on Thursday over fears the engine could stall.
In Canada, 200,000 vehicles are affected.
The recall applies to model years spanning from 2005 to 2008 and is aimed at the vehicles' engine control modules.
The company said it's possible that the circuit board could crack, causing problems with gear shifting, starting the engine or stalling.
There have been three collisions and one injury in the U.S., but Toyota said it hasn't established a definite link to the engine problem.
There have been no reported collisions or injuries in Canada.
"This is not the first time Toyota's had this problem," BNN's Mark Bunting told CTV News Channel. "With the 2001 to 2003 Rav4s, there were similar problems. There was no recall that time, but they did offer an extended warranty and did offer to reimburse any customer that had gone out to have the problem fixed."
Since last October, Toyota recalls have affected more than 10 million vehicles around the world, mainly due to acceleration or braking problems.
The company is still facing a number of lawsuits relating to those recalls, Bunting said.
General Motors is also recalling 200,000 Pontiac Vibes in North America over the engine concerns, GM spokesperson Alan Adler said. The Vibe is similar to the Matrix and was built by Toyota and GM under a joint venture.
Both companies said will start mailing out recall notifications in mid-September, and have offered to replace engine control modules on affected vehicles for free.
According to documents filed with U.S. regulators, the engine control module in question was produced by Troy, Michigan-based auto parts supplier Delphi Corp.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been probing whether the Corolla and Matrix models have an engine-stalling problem since November 2009. The agency now says it has stepped up that investigation.
John Hanson, a spokesperson for Toyota, said the company is cooperating with NHTSA staff on the investigation.
With files from The Associated Press and The Canadian Press
http://news.sympatico.ctv.ca/home/toyota_recalls_13_million_cars_in_us_canada/07535fcc
In Canada, 200,000 vehicles are affected.
The recall applies to model years spanning from 2005 to 2008 and is aimed at the vehicles' engine control modules.
The company said it's possible that the circuit board could crack, causing problems with gear shifting, starting the engine or stalling.
There have been three collisions and one injury in the U.S., but Toyota said it hasn't established a definite link to the engine problem.
There have been no reported collisions or injuries in Canada.
"This is not the first time Toyota's had this problem," BNN's Mark Bunting told CTV News Channel. "With the 2001 to 2003 Rav4s, there were similar problems. There was no recall that time, but they did offer an extended warranty and did offer to reimburse any customer that had gone out to have the problem fixed."
Since last October, Toyota recalls have affected more than 10 million vehicles around the world, mainly due to acceleration or braking problems.
The company is still facing a number of lawsuits relating to those recalls, Bunting said.
General Motors is also recalling 200,000 Pontiac Vibes in North America over the engine concerns, GM spokesperson Alan Adler said. The Vibe is similar to the Matrix and was built by Toyota and GM under a joint venture.
Both companies said will start mailing out recall notifications in mid-September, and have offered to replace engine control modules on affected vehicles for free.
According to documents filed with U.S. regulators, the engine control module in question was produced by Troy, Michigan-based auto parts supplier Delphi Corp.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been probing whether the Corolla and Matrix models have an engine-stalling problem since November 2009. The agency now says it has stepped up that investigation.
John Hanson, a spokesperson for Toyota, said the company is cooperating with NHTSA staff on the investigation.
With files from The Associated Press and The Canadian Press
http://news.sympatico.ctv.ca/home/toyota_recalls_13_million_cars_in_us_canada/07535fcc