Tokyo, march 02: Toyota is repairing nearly 1 million vehicles in the U.S. and Japan for potentially leaky oil hoses –the latest in a spate of quality problems battering the world’s biggest automaker.
The fix, which has already been rolled out in Japan since late last year, is not considered a recall in Japan, but is categorized as a “service campaign,” with owners receiving notices through dealers about the needed repair, Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said Tuesday.
In the U.S., the repair for an oil-supply hose is being expanded to the 2007 and 2009 model year RAV4 sport utility vehicles and some Avalon sedan models, totalling 217,800 vehicles, lifting the total number of vehicles affected in the U.S. to 934,000.
Toyota Motor Corp. said the problem affected about 40,000 vehicles in Japan spanning five models: the Harrier luxury model, Estima minivan, Blade hatchback, Mark X Zio sedan and Vanguard crossover.
The faulty hoses can cause engine noise and light up the oil pressure light on vehicle dashboards, according to Toyota. In the U.S., the problem also affects the best-selling Camry and two Lexus models.
Regulations on auto problems differ in Japan and the U.S. In Japan, automakers are not required to report such “voluntary repairs” to the transport ministry.
Toyota’s quality standards have come under intense scrutiny following global recalls of some 8.5 million vehicles for gas pedal, floor mat and braking problems.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda apologized Monday in Beijing, seeking to placate growing consumer worries.
For the first time since the recall fiasco surfaced, Toyoda made a formal Japanese-style deep bow of contrition that immediately followed his words of apology. He had apologized earlier in Japan and the U.S., but did not offer a bow of apology.
Toyoda has said the automaker grew too fast in recent years and failed to listen as closely as it should have to consumer complaints about its vehicles.
Toyoda was grilled by U.S. lawmakers at a congressional hearing last week. Three other Toyota executives are scheduled to appear at the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation later in the day.
—–Agencies