Toyota recalled approximately 280,000 pickups and SUVs in the United States because the engine may not fully disengage while in neutral.
“Certain parts of the gearbox may not immediately disengage when the vehicle is shifted to the neutral position,” the Japanese automaker stated on Wednesday. It said this allows some engine power to continue going through to the wheels.
As a result, the vehicle may “inadvertently creep forward at a low speed when it is on a flat surface and no brakes are applied, leading to an increased risk of a crash,” according to the manufacturer.
Toyota Recalls 280,000 Vehicles Because They May ‘Creep Forward’ In Neutral
Certain Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, and Lexus LX 600 cars made between 2022 and 2024 are being recalled. Lexus is Toyota’s luxury brand.
Toyota said it will notify owners of recalled vehicles in late April and update the gearbox software.
The business stated that the recall is one of three in the United States on Wednesday.
Toyota announced the recall of an additional 19,000 vehicles due to a software issue: “the rearview image may not display within the period of time required by certain US safety regulations after the driver shifts the vehicle into reverse, increasing the risk of a crash while backing the vehicle.”
Toyota Recalls 280,000 Vehicles Because They May ‘Creep Forward’ In Neutral
It noted that the safety recall applies to select Mirai and Lexus LS, LC, and ES models manufactured in North America between 2023 and 2024.
Additionally, about 4,000 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles are being recalled due to safety concerns with the head restraints on rear fold-down seats, which “increase the risk of injury during certain collisions.”
Toyota is the world’s largest carmaker by sales, yet it risks becoming embroiled in safety controversies.
In December, it recalled approximately 1 million cars and SUVs in the United States owing to a potential fault that might cause the passenger airbag to fail to deploy in a crash.
Toyota Recalls 280,000 Vehicles Because They May ‘Creep Forward’ In Neutral
The recall affected 15 Lexus cars from 2020 to 2021, including the Camry, Rav4, Sienna, RX350, and ES350.
After admitting to forging safety test results for more than 30 years, Daihatsu, a small Japanese automaker under Toyota ownership, stopped domestic production late last year.
SOURCE – (CNN)
