Toyota US distributors recall vehicles for tyre labels

ERJ staff report (AN)

Washington DC -- Distributors for Toyota Motor Corp., the world's largest automaker, recalled more than 424,000 vehicles because labels detailing the load-carrying capacity of tyres were missing or less accurate than required.

The recalls by Gulf States Toyota Inc. of Houston and Southeast Toyota Distributors of Deerfield Beach, Florida, were posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site. They include Sienna minivans, Prius hybrids and Camry and Corolla cars. Owners of the affected vehicles, which included model years from 2005 to 2011, will be notified by mail.

“The true vehicle load-carrying capacity is important to know,” said Brian Lyons, a spokesman for Toyota's US unit, based in Torrance, California The data is particularly significant for vehicles such as trucks that may have heavy accessories including running boards or light racks added, he said.

Julia Piscitelli, a traffic safety administration spokeswoman, had no immediate comment.

Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for defects that may cause sudden acceleration.

From Automotive News (A Crain publication)

From NHTSA Campaign ID no 10V035000