Toyota is recalling more than 6 million vehicles that could potentially catch fire due to an improperly lubricated power window switch.

Toyota Motor Corporation issued a recall of 6.5 million vehicles with defective power window switches. The recalled models include Yaris/Vitz subcompact, Corolla, Camry and others.

Debris caught in the window switch could short circuit, overheat and cause a fire.

Recall Details

An incorrectly lubricated power window switch is a fire hazard.
Image: Hapamoto

The recall includes 2.7 million North American cars, 1.2 million European cars and 600,000 cars sold in Japan. Toyota has not received any reports of incidents related to the recall.

During the manufacturing process, the power window switch was incorrectly lubricated.

The improper lubrication could allow debris to accumulate and cause a short circuit. The switch assembly could then overheat and melt, which is a fire hazard.

The other models included in the recall are the Matrix, RAV4, Highlander, Tundra, Sequoia and Scion xB. The vehicles were produced between January 2005 and December 2010.

The company is only recalling models manufactured in certain years:

• 2007 and 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid
• 2009-2011 Corolla
• 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid
• 2009-2011 Matrix
• 2006-2011 RAV4
• 2009-2011 Sequoia
• 2009-2011 Tundra
• 2006-2010 Yaris
• 2009-2011 Scion xB
• 2009-2010 Scion xD

Recall Solution

Toyota asserts that safety is a priority.
Image: Home and Garden Blog

“Toyota previously recalled certain 2007-2009 model year vehicles for a similar condition. This Safety Recall adds vehicles not previously involved in the prior action that utilized an alternative lubricant application method,” according to Toyota’s recall statement.

Toyota will notify consumers with affected vehicles by mail, after which Toyota dealers will inspect the switch. Dealers will decide if lubricating the switch with heat-resistant grease is enough to remedy the problem. If not, dealers will replace the internal circuit board.

The company can be reached by phone at 1-800-331-4331. More information about the recall can be found by visiting toyota.com/recall.

The post Toyota Recall: Defective Power Window Switch Causes A Fire Hazard appeared first on Citizens Report.

Armored Lock

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. recently announced it would be cutting its profit forecast by more than $400 million as a result of the mounting costs to recall cars containing potentially deadly defective airbags.

The automotive manufacturer has been forced to recall around four million vehicles, which contain airbags manufactured in Japan by the safety equipment supplier Takata Corporation. Honda’s list of recalled models include Accords, Civics, CR-Vs, Elements, Odyssey, Pilots, and Ridgelines. Lawyers for Honda have estimated that injuries from the defective airbags have climbed to 64 and a possible sixth death is currently being investigated.

Though Honda sells it cars worldwide, its most lucrative market is the United States, which is why executives at the company are trying to downplay any safety issues in this country. For instance, Tetsuo Iwamura, an executive vice president at the carmaker, has failed to mention the latest suspected death that recently happened in Texas.

According to police reports, a 35 year-old man died after his 2002 Honda Accord struck another vehicle and the airbag deployed, sending pieces of metal into the car. One of those pieces lodged in the man’s neck, and he bled to death at the scene. Honda immediately released a statement saying it had been alerted of the incident, but added that it was too early to tell if a faulty airbag was responsible.

Honda Has Company

Alexis Benter

Toyota has also recalled cars due to the same faulty inflaters manufactured by Takata. These inflaters deploy with too much force, sending pieces of metal into the interior cabin of cars.

Honda, Toyota and Chrysler are all dealing with separate recalls, still having to do with airbags, but this one is  due to a bad electric component manufactured by an American supplier. This particular defect causes the airbag to deploy for no reason while the car is actually in motion. Toyota is recalling close to one million vehicles, Chrysler is recalling around 753,000 vehicles and Honda is recalling around 374,000 vehicles.

Federal safety administrators are urging consumers who have yet to get their recalled cars fixed to do so as soon as possible. While some fixes may only be temporary, and some may take quite a long time, these safety issues are urgent and remedies should be immediately installed.

If you believe your car may be at risk, visit Honda’s official recall page.

The post Honda Downplays Deadly Airbag Defects in the U.S. appeared first on Citizens Report.

Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, said it is not aware of any crashes, injuries or deaths caused by the problems.

The largest recall involves 3.5 million vehicles equipped with a spiral cable that can be damaged when the steering wheel turns. The frayed cable could cause a warning lamp to illuminate and a car’s air bag to deactivate.

And that’s just one of their recalls; there are even more! Read more here.

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