Published on
February 23, 2010 in
Recalls.
Tags: Avalon, brake, brake override, Camry, ES, IS, Lexus, recall, Sequoia, Tacoma, Toyota, Venza.
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
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’
Published on
January 28, 2010 in
Manufacturer Update and Recalls.
Tags: 2002, 2003, 2005, Camry, ES 300, gas, lawsuit, Lexus, pedal, recall, Solara, sticky, Toyota, unintended acceleration.
As if it couldn’t get any worse for Toyota, it seems it has. The Detroit Free Press is reporting that in 2008, there was a lawsuit after Guadalupe Alberto of Flint, MI, died when her out-of-control 2005 Camry crashed. The suit alleged that the Camry in question was suffering from the sticky gas pedal problem I reported on earlier today. Continue reading for more details.
Continue reading ‘Was the NHTSA investigating Toyota’s problems in 2004?’
Automotive News is reporting that GM has announced incentives for current Toyota and Lexus owners, in a bid to lure buyers away from the Japanese automaker. The deal is simple: if you own or lease a Toyota or Lexus vehicle, you get financing, cash back or free payments.
It will be interesting to see how many sales GM gets out of the deal, but any sales they get will be beneficial.
Here’s how it breaks down:
Toyota/Lexus Lessees: GM will waive 3 monthly payments, up to $1,000.
Financing buyers: 0% financing for 60 months.
Cash buyers: $1,000 cash back.
by John Suit
Source: Automotive News
Published on
December 22, 2009 in
Manufacturer Update, Predictions and Under the Hood (In Depth).
Tags: 2010, F-150, F150, Flex, Ford, Lexus, Lincoln, MKS, MKZ, Noise, Noise Vision, Taurus, Toyota.
It has long been known that Ford competes directly with Chrysler and GM. After reading a press release on their new “Noise Vision” technology, I have to wonder if Ford isn’t aiming far higher than its domestic rivals, at least in one aspect of their vehicles. Ford’s new technology allows engineers to “see” the sounds intruding on a car’s passenger compartment and subsequently engineer those sounds out. More details following the jump.
Continue reading ‘Tech: Ford's "Noise Vision" Technology’
Lexus has long been rumored to be creating their own supercar. The Japanese luxury brand which was created by Toyota, and first brought cars to the US in 1989, has finally shown pictures of it, and anyone lucky enough to be in Los Angeles this week will be able to see it up close and personal.
Continue reading ‘A Supercar like non other: the Lexus LF-A’
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.
