Chronicling the Ever-Changing Automotive Industry
2007 Honda Odyssey
In the current recall frenzy, automakers are very quick to announce recalls, and I personally think it’s a good thing. Just yesterday, Honda announced a recall for brake issues with the Element and Odyssey vehicles. The recall includes some 2007-2008 Elements and Odysseys. Read on for more details.
Continue reading ‘Honda to recall 412,000 vehicles over brake issue’
A while back, I wrote that Toyota was installing a “brake override” system on its cars. As it turns out, they’ve also begun adding the system to recalled cars as well as ones in its sales pipeline. Today, Toyota announced that it would be expanding the lineup of cars receiving the override, to include the Tacoma, Venza and Sequoia. While the former two are getting the fix when they show up for any of the recalls, Sequoia owners will be sent a letter and will be allowed to schedule a time to get the brake override installed. Previously, only the Toyota Avalon, Camry, Lexus IS and ES cars were receiving the override system upgrade. The brake override system ignores gas pedal input when the brakes are pressed, in order to help prevent runaway cars.
by John Suit
Source: Toyota
So, after the news that Toyota has turned over “secret” documents to the US Government, it looks like ABC News has tested a Toyota Avalon and found what could be a reason for the unintended acceleration. They’ve found that an electrical problem is causing a surge of engine power, letting the car become a runaway. Follow the jump for video and more explanation.
Continue reading ‘ABC News tests Toyota, finds a reason for runaways’
We knew it was coming, and Toyota has announced another recall; this time for the brakes on the 2010 Toyota Prius. In a slightly surprising turn of events, the automaker also included their 2010 Lexus HS250h hybrid, which is based off of the same design as the Prius, with Lexus appointments and refinement. Toyota is recalling a total of 148,500 vehicles for problems with the dual braking systems mentioned in the previous article. The problem occurs when the car’s computer needs to mix the traditional friction braking system with the regenerative braking system employed by most hybrids. This transition period can leave drivers without proper braking power, even though Toyota says that the brakes will work and that drivers just need to apply more pressure to the brake pedal.
Continue reading ‘PedalGate Update: Recall on 2010 Prius / Lexus HS’
Well, it seems Toyota isn’t the only one with brake problems these days. Consumer Reports is reporting that Ford has issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) on the brake systems on 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrids and 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrids. A similar issue to what Toyota is experiencing with their 2010 Prius, it seems the transition from regenerative to conventional brakes is bothering Ford as well.
Continue reading ‘Uh-oh: Ford issues bulletin about Fusion/Milan Hybrid Brakes’
By now, it should be common knowledge that Toyota recalled 3.8 million vehicles in late 2009 over floor mats that can cause a car’s gas pedal to become stuck, causing unwanted acceleration. While this recall affects the same pedal, it’s for a different set of vehicles, and has a different cause. The total number of cars in this recall is 2.3 million. Read on for more details.
Continue reading ‘Another Recall for Toyota? More accelerator woes’
