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 the potential safety defect is not actually a defect. Toyota is so sure of this that the company thinks it can keep away from another recall and instead provide free repairs to any customers who ask.
Toyota Matrix power steering prone to drifting or locking
One of the most amazing aspect of this issue is that Toyota isn’t really saying that frozen or drifting power steering units in Toyota Matrix and Corollas aren’t safety defects. What would seem like a safety defect to most is a “customer satisfaction” issue according to Toyota PR, despite 437 complaints, 11 injuries and 18 accidents. AutoBlog indicates that Toyota simply released a Technical Service Bulletin that pointed to tire pressure and alignment problems first. If the report’s prescription of checking tire pressure and alignment do not do the trick, then and only then will a new power steering unit be put in.
It should be noted that General Motor’s has a Matrix twin call the Pontiac Vibe, and that may have the exact same power steering troubles, as outlined by AutoBlog.
No recall means more money in Toyota’s pocket
If Toyota is allowed to go with not recalling the 2009 and 2010 Toyota Matrix or Corolla, they’ll save money and keep away from having to report to regulators. But the NHTSA will have to sign off on the “non-defect” idea first. Presently, the investigation continues. Toyota certainly doesn’t want one more public relations nightmare, and this situation might be an additional storm on the horizon. A new forced recall would tear down any gains the embattled automaker has made since early 2010.
More info about this topic at these websites
AutoBlog
autoblog.com/2010/07/13/report-toyota-says-corolla-matrix-steering-issue-not-a-defect/
