The 2010 Toyota recalls gained no small amount of attention, but here’s something you may have missed: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was paying close attention to nearly a billion 2009 and 2010 Toyota Matrix and Toyota Corolla cars. Power steering issues were up for analysis. Auto Blog reports that Toyota has gone on record as saying that the potential safety defect isn’t really really a defect. Toyota wants to handle the matter by fixing the issue for free, but only if individuals complain.
Toyota Matrix power steering can suffer locking or drift
Shockingly, reports of Toyota Matrix and Corolla power steering units causing drift of freezing entirely don’t register as safety defects with the automaker. What would seem like a safety defect to most is a “customer satisfaction” issue as outlined by Toyota PR, despite 437 complaints, 11 injuries and 18 accidents. That did warrant a Technical Service Bulletin from the brain trust to Toyota dealers, says AutoBlog. If the report’s prescription of checking tire pressure and alignment don’t do the trick, then and only then will a new power steering unit be put in.
Interestingly, GM’s Pontiac Vibe – which is widely considered a Matrix “twin” – may have the exact same kind of steering issues, writes 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 conserve money and stay away from having to report to regulators. But the NHTSA may have to sign off on the “non-defect” idea first. The investigation is nevertheless in progress. Toyota would rather stay away from a PR nightmare. A new forced recall would tear down any gains the embattled automaker has made since early 2010.
Citations
AutoBlog
autoblog.com/2010/07/13/report-toyota-says-corolla-matrix-steering-issue-not-a-defect/
