The Sienna is Toyota’s all-new model and it is now facing its first recall. This time, the brand-new 2011 Sienna model has a problem with the positioning of the stop lamp switch bracket and the parking brake pedal. The switch bracket is welded on to the left side of the brake pedal assembly. The brake lamp provides a signal to indicate that the brake pedal has been depressed and illuminates the brake lights. This new brake problem for Toyota could lead, in severe cases, to a loss of braking effectiveness.
On Monday the Toyota Motor Corp announced said that it would recall about 110,000 of the 2011 Sienna minivans. The recall covers about 94,000 vehicles in the United States, 12,000 sold in Canada and 5,000 in Mexico.
The recall is over a possible a risk of the driver damaging the brake system while using the parking brake. This is due to the proximity between the stop lamp switch bracket and the parking brake pedal The driver's foot could hit the switch bracket and deform it while applying the parking brake pedal This could lead to deformation of the stop lamp switch bracket This in turn, might cause the brakes to become partially engaged When engaged the brakes would become noisy and vibrate When engaged the brakes would cause the brake warning light to illuminate If the condition remains unrepaired, Sienna drivers could experience minimized braking power
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the recall affects 94,126 vehicles that were produced between December 22nd, 2009, and November 4th, 2010. It was in December 2009, that the company received its first report about a deformed bracket while the vehicle was still in pre-mass production stage. More reports, inspections and an investigation later, the company decided to issue the recall. The auto maker had already fixed the problem with a differently designed part on Sienna models made after November 5.
Fortunately there has not been any accident or injury related to the issue. Toyota says it has so far received no notice of a crash being caused by the newly discovered problem. The car-maker will send the affected cars to dealers on its own cost and that it would notify owners of the problem along with instructions for what to do if they experience the problems. But the fix will be delayed until replacement parts are available in February.
Even before the cars get fixed, Toyota will arrange to teach owners how to cope with the problem. Owners will be notified of the recall in mid-January 2011 and told how to minimize the chances of hitting the bracket. Replacement parts will be available in late February and dealers will replace the bracket assembly free of cost.
On Monday the Toyota Motor Corp announced said that it would recall about 110,000 of the 2011 Sienna minivans. The recall covers about 94,000 vehicles in the United States, 12,000 sold in Canada and 5,000 in Mexico.
The recall is over a possible a risk of the driver damaging the brake system while using the parking brake. This is due to the proximity between the stop lamp switch bracket and the parking brake pedal The driver's foot could hit the switch bracket and deform it while applying the parking brake pedal This could lead to deformation of the stop lamp switch bracket This in turn, might cause the brakes to become partially engaged When engaged the brakes would become noisy and vibrate When engaged the brakes would cause the brake warning light to illuminate If the condition remains unrepaired, Sienna drivers could experience minimized braking power
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the recall affects 94,126 vehicles that were produced between December 22nd, 2009, and November 4th, 2010. It was in December 2009, that the company received its first report about a deformed bracket while the vehicle was still in pre-mass production stage. More reports, inspections and an investigation later, the company decided to issue the recall. The auto maker had already fixed the problem with a differently designed part on Sienna models made after November 5.
Fortunately there has not been any accident or injury related to the issue. Toyota says it has so far received no notice of a crash being caused by the newly discovered problem. The car-maker will send the affected cars to dealers on its own cost and that it would notify owners of the problem along with instructions for what to do if they experience the problems. But the fix will be delayed until replacement parts are available in February.
Even before the cars get fixed, Toyota will arrange to teach owners how to cope with the problem. Owners will be notified of the recall in mid-January 2011 and told how to minimize the chances of hitting the bracket. Replacement parts will be available in late February and dealers will replace the bracket assembly free of cost.
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