Toyota recalls earlier this year may have masked an investigation the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration performed on nearly a billion 2009 and 2010 Toyota Matrix and Toyota Corolla cars. Steering was the question. Auto Blog reports that Toyota has gone on record as saying that the potential safety defect isn’t really really a defect. Toyota is prepared to fix it for free, but do not feel the need for a recall.
Toyota Matrix power steering – drift and lock
It is surprising that reports of Toyota Matrix and Corolla power steering units causing drift or locking up do not lead to the problem being proclaimed a safety defect. The automaker has 437 complaints (11 of those related to injury and 18 to crashes), but their term for the issue is that it’s a “customer satisfaction” problem, rather than a safety defect. That did warrant a Technical Service Bulletin from the brain trust to Toyota dealers, says AutoBlog. A new power steering unit will be put in if tire pressure and alignment aren’t the problem.
AutoBlog indicates the GM Matrix clone the Pontiac Vibe may have similar difficulties with power steering.
Bottom line – Toyota could conserve money
Toyota can be allowed to forego recalling the 2009 and 2010 Toyota Matrix and Corolla, which would conserve them an excellent deal of capital and keep them out of the regulator’s office. However, the NHTSA will have to agree with Toyota’s assessment of the “non-defect”. The investigation is still in progress. Toyota has had enough PR trouble with their previous recalls. A forced recall could strike down any goodwill Toyota has been able to salvage with the public of late.
Citations
AutoBlog
autoblog.com/2010/07/13/report-toyota-says-corolla-matrix-steering-issue-not-a-defect/
