Toyota Recalling 760,000 Rav4's Due To Crash Risk!

[junebug1701]

Yet another RAV4 recall--this one sounds like a fundamental design flaw with the rear suspension. So far only N. American RAV4's are affected, but that could change:

http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/01/autos/toyota-rav4-recall/

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Toyota announced the recall Wednesday of some 778,000 vehicles in the United States due to a suspension problem that could cause crashes.

The recall comprises roughly 760,000 Toyota RAV4's from model years 2006 to 2011, as well as about 18,000 Lexus HS 250h's from 2010.

Toyota said that if the nuts on the rear suspension arms of these vehicles aren't tightened properly during a wheel alignment service, the arms may come loose or separate.

Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons said that so far in the United States, there have been "nine crashes and three minor injuries alleged to be related to this condition."

In addition to the United States, some 99,000 RAV4's and 1,000 HS 250h's in Canada are being recalled, though no other markets are involved, Lyons said.

The affected drivers may notice a strange noise coming from the rear of their vehicles, Toyota said. The company said it's "preparing the remedy" for the problem, to be performed by dealers at no charge, and will provide further information for car owners by mail.

In June, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into potential rear suspension failure in an estimated 460,000 RAV4's from between 2006 and 2008.

A NHTSA spokeswoman said the agency "is in contact with Toyota regarding its recall and urges consumers to have their vehicles serviced promptly."

"The agency's investigation remains open pending review of documentation from the manufacturer," the spokeswoman added.

Lyons said Toyota's own investigation preceded the NHTSA probe.

[Gods_gift]

Hmm 9 crashes out of how many Rav's 460,000 2006-2008 (yet the recall is 760,000) also note the word approx.

Sounds a bit like sensational journos at work more than a serious problem. No details of which bolt or nut it is either. Sorry for my 3am synical review but 'carry on nothing to see here'... :)

[anchorman]

If you get a TSB will you show us James so we can see if it is likely to affect us? With those build dates some will have been built in Japan like ours but yours have much softer suspension so it may not apply.

[firemac]

Yet another RAV4 recall--this one sounds like a fundamental design flaw with the rear suspension. So far only N. American RAV4's are affected, but that could change:

http://money.cnn.com...ta-rav4-recall/

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Toyota announced the recall Wednesday of some 778,000 vehicles in the United States due to a suspension problem that could cause crashes.

The recall comprises roughly 760,000 Toyota RAV4's from model years 2006 to 2011, as well as about 18,000 Lexus HS 250h's from 2010.

Toyota said that if the nuts on the rear suspension arms of these vehicles aren't tightened properly during a wheel alignment service, the arms may come loose or separate.

Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons said that so far in the United States, there have been "nine crashes and three minor injuries alleged to be related to this condition."

In addition to the United States, some 99,000 RAV4's and 1,000 HS 250h's in Canada are being recalled, though no other markets are involved, Lyons said.

The affected drivers may notice a strange noise coming from the rear of their vehicles, Toyota said. The company said it's "preparing the remedy" for the problem, to be performed by dealers at no charge, and will provide further information for car owners by mail.

In June, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into potential rear suspension failure in an estimated 460,000 RAV4's from between 2006 and 2008.

A NHTSA spokeswoman said the agency "is in contact with Toyota regarding its recall and urges consumers to have their vehicles serviced promptly."

"The agency's investigation remains open pending review of documentation from the manufacturer," the spokeswoman added.

Lyons said Toyota's own investigation preceded the NHTSA probe.

Obviously a slow news day. Not surprising: it's Aug, the Olympics is the big story & that's in another country - gotta find something to fill the rag with.......

[druand]

"nuts not tightened during a wheel alignment service"

??? was the work carried out by a Toyota Dealer.

Wheel alignment is often done by tyre fitters at Kwik Fit or similar who would possibly have no knowledge of correct torque settings.

Lots of older vehicles involved, long out of warranty and possibly not seen a Toyota dealer since warranty expired.

[junebug1701]

Since this problem didn't occur from the factory, my guess is that Toyota published the wrong torque specs in their service manuals.

[Parts-King]

Just released some info in the UK

Toyota is currently working on the remedy. In the meantime, to ensure

transparency with owners, Toyota will mail an interim owner notification. The

first notification will advise owners of this safety recall and the fact they will

receive a future notice once parts have been prepared.

Once remedy parts are available, Toyota will mail a second owner notification

advising owners to make an appointment with any Toyota Centre/ Service Outlet.

Any Toyota Centre/ Service Outlet will inspect and if necessary replace the rear

suspension arm No.1. After the inspection and/or replacement, supplemental

parts will be installed.

All work will be performed at NO COST to the vehicle owner.

Kingo

[Gods_gift]

Anyideas when this will be available nationwide?

[junebug1701]

Here's the official statement from Toyota in the US:

Safety Recall C0J (C1J) Interim Notice - Certain 2006 through 2011 Model Year Toyota RAV4 Vehicles Rear Lower Suspension Arm No.1

At the present time, Toyota is developing a remedy for this safety recall.

What is the Condition? In the Rear Suspension Arm No.1 Assembly ("arm"), if the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are not tightened following the proper procedure and torque specification when vehicle alignment service is performed, backlash may develop at the thread portion of the arm (shaft and turn-buckle), followed by formation of rust. If this occurs, threads may wear, causing the arm to separate, which could result in the loss of vehicle control.

When will the Remedy be Available: Toyota anticipates that it will take several months to prepare the remedy. At which time, Toyota will notify owners of covered vehicles by first class mail. If a driver hears an abnormal noise from the rear of the vehicle the driver should contact any authorized Toyota dealer for diagnosis.

[Jamesbelfast]

Not good news for Toyotas reputation even if only affects a few cars.

[Gods_gift]

Can someone ask them to remedy part 48830 and 48840 as well? They both snapped on mine within two months of each other so I swapped them for Hilux parts in the hope they are not made from cheese.

[anchorman]

It reads that this is only a problem IF the rear suspension has been adjusted and the lock nuts have been torqued to the specified limit. The manual states 13-15 ft/lbs which seems very low. I suspect that this is an error and has caused some of the failures.

[Tech01]

The manual states 13-15 ft/lbs which seems very low. I suspect that this is an error and has caused some of the failures.

Don, I'm sure you're right: this low figure surely cannot be right for this type of stressed component.

Chris

[anchorman]

This is it. Seems low to me but no doubt we will find out in due course. However, it only applies to vehicles that have had rear wheel geometry adjustments even if all vehicles are recalled

It does go on to say they should be finally nipped to 33 ft/lbs but it is right near the bottom. I wonder if the procedure will be re-written.

[Parts-King]

Anyideas when this will be available nationwide?

There is NO ETA as yet, there are NO parts available yet so it could be a while, if you have a vehicle in the affected range, you will get a letter to explain the timeline

As mentioned above, this will only possibly affect your car if it has had rear geometry adjustments in the past

Kingo