Toyota has announced the recall of 110,000 of its Toyota Tundra pick up trucks in the United States. Concerns over corrosion on the vehicle's frame prompted Toyota to issue a statement warning owners in cold areas that road salt could corrode parts of the frame, causing the spare wheel to come loose and damage to brake lines.
The defect is limited to the 2000 to 2003 models of the Toyota Tundra and 110,000 Toyota Tundra owners are part of the recall.
"The spare tire stowed under the truck bed may become separated from the rear cross-member," the company stated. "Spare tire separation will create a road hazard for following vehicles and increase the likelihood of a crash."
Toyota also warned that corrosion may affect a valve on the rear brake line.
"If this occurs, it can lead to the loss of the rear brake circuits which will increase vehicle stopping distances and the risk of a crash."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is telling owners to remove spare tires mounted underneath the trucks immediately.
The safety recall involves 110,000 Toyota Tundras for model years 2000 through 2003 that are registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. These states typically use chemical de-icers, such as road salts, to treat the roadways in winter weather.
Toyota will contact owners of all affected vehicles and ask that they bring the vehicles to a local dealer to be inspected and remedied. Based on the extent of the corrosion, Toyota will either apply a corrosion-resistant compound to the affected area or replace the rear cross-member if necessary. In the event that the rear cross-member cannot be replaced, Toyota will develop a remedy for those vehicles.
Toyota also announced it will notify owners of model year 2000 through 2003 Tundras registered outside of the recalled states and perform the same inspection and repair if the owners desire.
Until the recalled vehicles are brought in, NHTSA urges owners to remove the spare tires to prevent them from falling onto the roadway. NHTSA also advised to avoid being under the spare tire or rear cross-member while removing it. If the spare tire is moved to the truck bed or to another location in the vehicle, owners should make sure that it is properly secured.
Recall notices have not been issued to customers by mail yet but anyone with questions can contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1 800 331-4331.
Written by Cheryl Phillips
HULIQ.com
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