Software, Electronic Glitches Cause Toyota Recall of Almost 1 Million U.S. Vehicles

Toyota is voluntarily recalling about 960,000 vehicles in the U.S. for software and electronic circuit issues. The Toyota Prius, RAV4 and Tacoma, as well as the Lexus RX 350, are part of the safety recall.
About 700,000 Toyota Prius hybrids from the 2010 to 2014 model years will receive a software update to fix a malfunction where the car can go into a failsafe mode. Multiple warning lights will go off before the vehicle goes into the failsafe mode, though. Toyota says in a statement, “In rare circumstances, the hybrid system might shut down while the vehicle is being driven, resulting in the loss of power and the vehicle coming to a stop.”
Toyota will also update software on some 2012 RAV4 SUVs, 2012 and 2013 Tacoma trucks and 2012 and 2013 Lexus RX 350 SUVs to repair an issue with an electric circuit that it says can cause safety systems including the anti-lock braking system, traction control and vehicle stability control systems to “intermittently turn off.” Toyota notes that this electronic circuit problem does not affect the vehicles’ braking ability. About 260,000 models are part of this software update.
Two weeks ago, Toyota issued a stop sale of vehicles equipped with heated seats, including the 2013 and 2014 Corolla, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry and Camry Hybrid. Toyota said that “the seat heater, which is a small portion of the soft materials of the seat assembly,” doesn’t meet a federal stipulation “requiring materials to retard flame at a specified rate.”

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Toyota Halts Some Vehicle Sales over Seat Heater Woes

Toyota announced yesterday that it has issued a stop sale of certain models to address a non-compliance issue with seat heaters. The following models equipped with heated seats from the 2013 and 2014 model years are affected by the stop sale: Corolla, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry and Camry Hybrid.
In a statement, Toyota says that “the seat heater, which is a small portion of the soft materials of the seat assembly,” doesn’t meet a federal stipulation "requiring materials to retard flame at a specified rate." The automaker says it is working on a fix for any affected vehicles that are currently in dealership inventory. According to Toyota, there have been no reports of any problems related to this issue. No recalls have been issued as of yet for vehicles that have already been purchased.
This problem does not arise at a good time for Toyota. Kelley Blue Book Senior Analyst Karl Brauer explains, "Given that much of the U.S. is currently in the grips of a record cold snap there’s sure to be high demand for models with seat heaters." According to KBB.com data, 37.8 percent of 2013 and 2014 Toyota models listed for sale are equipped with heated seats.
The Associated Press spoke with John Hanson, a Toyota spokesman, who says it shouldn't be a problem for current owners of affected vehicles, as there have been no related incidents reported. Hanson says that it shouldn't take long to get the new parts and remedy the issue. He notes that vehicles at the factory are already being installed with the new, federally-compliant seat heater material. There is currently no word on when the stop sale will be lifted.

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Toyota RAV4 Fares Poorly in IIHS Small Overlap Crash Test

Even with extra time to prepare, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 didn't do well in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s small overlap frontal crash test. In a press release, the IIHS says they initially delayed crash testing the RAV4 to allow Toyota to enhance the vehicle’s safety structure.
According to the IIHS, the changes made were not sufficient, and the RAV4 earned a score of Poor in the new safety test. The agency reports that “the driver's space was seriously compromised by intruding structure, and the dummy's left foot was trapped by crushed and buckled sheet metal in the footwell.” Additionally, “the dummy's head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the left side as the steering column moved more than 7 inches to the right, resulting in little airbag cushioning for the chest.” Finally, the agency reports that excessive movement allowed by the safety belt resulted in the dummy’s head hitting the dashboard.
The small overlap frontal crash test is IIHS’ newest safety test. It is designed to evaluate a vehicle’s ability to protect its occupants in a collision where the front corner of the vehicle hits an object like a pole or another car.
 
Failure to earn a score of Good in the small overlap frontal crash test means the 2013 RAV4 does not earn the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus status. Still, the RAV4 is designated a Top Safety Pick for its scores of Good in all of the other IIHS safety tests.
The New York Times corresponded with Toyota via email, and they report that the automaker says it is “looking at a range of solutions to achieve greater crash performance in this area.”
The only two compact SUVs that have been earned the Top Safety Pick Plus designation so far are the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and redesigned 2014 Subaru Forester.

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Will the Redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla Bring Happiness?

2014 Toyota Corolla/Photo Courtesy of Toyota

This evening, Toyota revealed the all-new 2014 Toyota Corolla. Leading up to tonight, Toyota has been using social media to show off different parts of the redesigned Corolla.
In the beginning, Tatsuo Hasegawa, the Corolla’s first chief engineer, said the mission was “to develop a car that brings happiness and well-being to people around the world.” Now, according to a Toyota press release, the Corolla has been around for 47 years with almost 40 million sales in more than 150 countries.
Jessica Caldwell, senior analyst for Edmunds.com, says, "You can't underestimate Corolla's importance to Toyota's success. Its legions of buyers continue to grow Toyota awareness and Corolla is a strong gateway into the brand. Toyota has had a successful formula with the Corolla, but the vehicle does need some improvement in order to capture the more discerning compact car buyer in this competitive environment."
Data from Edmunds show that the Corolla, thus far, is the best-selling compact car in the United States. Edmunds chalks this up to dedicated customers. Of all trade-ins for a new Corolla in May, 35 percent were older Corollas.

2014 Toyota Corolla/Photo Courtesy of Toyota

The 2014 Toyota Corolla has four trims: L, LE, S and a new LE Eco trim. According to Toyota, all Corollas will have LED headlights, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, full power accessories, air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, cloth upholstery and eight air bags. Other features on higher grades or optional packages include a smart key with push-button start, SofTex seating materials, heated front seats, a navigation system and Entune apps. Features available on specific trims and prices will be released closer to when the Corolla goes on sale in the fall.

2014 Toyota Corolla's Interior/Photo Courtesy of Toyota

Toyota expects the Corolla’s highway fuel economy for the LE Eco, a new trim that focuses on fuel economy, to surpass 40 mpg. It comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with Valvematic technology. Toyota notes that this will be the first vehicle in North America to have this technology, which will improve fuel economy and increase the engine’s productivity to 140 horsepower. Low-rolling resistance tires or available aerodynamic alloy wheels are also available on the LE Eco. For car shoppers who want to cut down on maintenance cost, low-rolling resistance tires have been proven not to last as long as standard tires.
Another 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is standard on the L, LE and S trims and produces up to 132 horsepower, according to the Toyota press release. The L model comes with an automatic transmission or a manual transmission. The manual transmission is available in the S. The CVT mentioned in the LE Eco grade is available in the LE and S trims.
The CVT can be changed from Normal mode to ECO and SPORT modes in the LE Eco and S trims. The ECO mode in the LE Eco will control the air conditioning along with some driving changes to get better fuel economy. Toyota says that the SPORT mode in the S trim is supposed to “deliver a more dynamic driving experience with software tuning that alters shift points, creating transmission behavior during acceleration that enhances the sporty character of the S-grade.” Paddle shifters on the steering wheel are standard on the S trim with the CVT. The shifter in the S can also be used to manually shift in the M mode.
The 2013 Toyota Corolla is ranked near the bottom of our affordable small car rankings going up against vehicles like the Mazda3, Hyundai Elantra and Subaru Impreza. After reviewers test it, we'll see if it makes them happy enough to give it better reviews.

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Could Ford Overtake Toyota in Total Hybrid Sales?

Photo Courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Since the early 2000s, Toyota has dominated the hybrid vehicle market, with a 71 percent market share last year, according to The Detroit News. However in the last year, Ford has introduced the all-new C-Max along with an electric version of the redesigned Ford Fusion, the Fusion Energi.
The Detroit News says Ford Fusion hybrid sales (not including the Fusion Energi) beat out sales of the Toyota Camry hybrid in April. In particular, Fusion sales are high in the Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Chicago markets.
In April, the Toyota Prius’ sales dropped 21 percent and the Camry’s dropped 26 percent compared to April of 2012, according to Bloomberg. Meanwhile, Ford has already surpassed General Motors, Honda, Hyundai and Kia in total hybrid sales.
The Detroit News says Toyota’s 71 percent of the hybrid market has already dropped to 58 percent this year. However, Ford still has a long way to go to catch up. Ford’s market share is at 18 percent, which is a 3 percent increase from where they were a year ago.
Erich Merkle, U.S. sales analyst for Ford Motor Company, tells Bloomberg that Ford sold 8,841 hybrid vehicles in April, and totals 29,561 hybrids sold for this year. Ford’s hybrid sales for 2010 totaled 35,496. Merkle added, “We’re turning, conquesting and growing our sales the fastest in the largest hybrid markets in the country.”
Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota North America, told the Detroit Free Press last month that lower gas prices have had a negative impact on Toyota's hybrid sales. Originally, Toyota had forecasted 250,000 U.S. hybrid sales for 2013, but analysts have been speculating that Toyota may drop their forecasted number.

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2013 Toyota RAV4 Named IIHS Top Safety Pick

U.S. News and World Report

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the redesigned 2013 Toyota RAV4 a Top Safety Pick Tuesday. The 2013 RAV4 joins the ranks of other affordable compact SUVs that have won the award, including the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester.
The redesigned RAV4 earned the institute’s top score of Good in moderate overlap front, side impact and rear crash tests, as well as roof strength tests. Motor Trend points out that since the 2013 RAV4 “was not tested in the new small overlap front test, the car isn’t eligible for the Top Safety Pick + designation.” So far, the only SUV to earn a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS is the Volvo XC60.
The new RAV4 earns better safety ratings from the IIHS than the 2012 model. The IIHS reports that the 2013 RAV4 “withstood a force equal to 5 times the SUV's weight.” The 2012 RAV4 earned an Acceptable rating in roof strength tests, withstanding 3.46 times its weight in roof strength tests.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the redesigned 2013 RAV4 an overall score of four out of five stars, which is comprised of a four-star rating in rollover and front crash tests, and a five-star rating in side crash tests.

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There Can Be Only One Redesigned 2014 Toyota Highlander

Toyota pulled the wraps off the completely redesigned 2014 Toyota Highlander this morning at the New York Auto Show. The 2014 Highlander will compete against three-row affordable midsize SUVs like the Buick Enclave, Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-9.
In addition to completely redesigned exterior styling, the new Highlander also boasts a more spacious interior. Toyota says in a press release that the new 2014 Highlander has up to 34 percent more cargo space behind the third row. The current 2013 Highlander has 10.3 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in use, which can expand to 95.3 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. More passenger space is available as well, as Toyota reports that the 2014 Highlander will seat up to eight people when equipped with a second-row bench seat. A seven-seat version of the Highlander will also be available, which comes with a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row.

The 2014 Highlander will come with a backup camera and Toyota’s Entune multimedia system, which includes a 6.1-inch touch-screen display, Bluetooth and voice recognition. Available features will include an upgraded JBL audio system, a rear-seat entertainment system, automatic headlights, adaptive cruise control, push-button start, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs and a heated steering wheel. Additionally, the 2014 Highlander will be available with safety features that include rear parking sensors, as well as blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and rear cross traffic alert systems.
Like the current model, the 2014 Toyota Highlander will be available with four- and six-cylinder engines, and as the Highlander Hybrid. The base Highlander will come with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive, while the more powerful 3.5-liter V6 model will be available in front- and all-wheel drive configurations. Both models will come with a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2014 Highlander Hybrid will come with a 3.5-liter V6 and an electric motor, which pair with a continuously variable transmission and all-wheel drive.

The redesigned Toyota Highlander will hit dealer lots in early 2014. Pricing and full specifications have yet to be announced.

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Buying "American" Could Mean Buying Foreign

In a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive, 75 percent of those surveyed considered a product American if it was manufactured in the U.S. In the same survey released last week, 15 percent of those surveyed also named Ford as the most American company.
"What many consumers don't know is that companies very traditionally seen as American, from GE to John Deere to Levi Strauss, outsource varying portions of their operations overseas, so it takes a lot of attention and research to determine if you're buying American and what that specifically means to you," said Mike de Vere, president of the Harris Poll. "Even the big three automakers - Ford, General Motors and Chrysler - two of whom were thought of as the most American brands in our findings, increasingly have cars in which parts are produced abroad, while Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda have upped U.S. production."
Although Ford is considered the most American company by survey respondents, the annual American-Made Index by Cars.com only has one Ford vehicle listed (the Ford F-150). Cars.com says the “American-Made Index recognizes cars that are built here, have a high percentage of domestic parts and are bought in large numbers by American consumers.” The index, made up of 10 vehicles, has five Japanese-branded models that some consumers may automatically disqualify because they are made by a foreign car company. In reality, the Japanese Toyota Camry has ranked number one in the index over the last four years. The Camry is assembled in Kentucky and Indiana and is built with more U.S. parts than any other vehicle based on the index criteria.
Besides the Toyota Camry, the Sienna and Tundra made the list for 2012. Tying Toyota as the most represented automaker was General Motors, with the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. Representing Honda was the Accord and Pilot, and one vehicle from Chrysler Group, the Jeep Liberty, made the list.
AOL Autos says, “‘Buy American,’ is an important criteria for many consumers as they think about supporting local jobs, buying local and helping the U.S. economy. But because large companies like automakers operate globally, defining ‘American’ and ‘local’ is actually quite different.”
Cars.com says that the automotive industry is becoming more global, as evidenced by the top two vehicles on its list. The Toyota Camry receives some drivetrains from Canada, and the V8 installed in the F-150 currently comes from Canada as well. Sometimes having parts come together from all around the globe helps the automaker’s bottom line. Ford, for example, earned a profit partly by instilling a global One Ford strategy that meant getting rid of some its domestic components, according to Cars.com.
With that criterion in mind, might it be OK to consider a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord for your next vehicle purchase if you’re looking to “buy American”? AOL Autos says trying to decipher which vehicles are more American (a foreign vehicle with more U.S.-made parts or a U.S. company that makes a vehicle with more foreign parts), may be too much of a headache for most consumers.
For consumers whose main focus is buying an American-made car, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website has a report of the amount of U.S./Canadian parts, by percentage, installed in each vehicle that is sold in the U.S.

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