Toyota in new repairs fiasco

Embattled Toyota has been hit by a new quality control problem, it emerged today, as the world’s biggest car maker moved to repair nearly one million vehicles in the US and Japan with potentially leaky oil hoses.

Toyota’s quality standards have come under intense scrutiny following global recalls of 8.5 million vehicles for accelerator pedal, floor mat and brake problems.

The hose fix, which has already been rolled out in Japan since late last year, was not considered a recall there, but is categorised as a “service campaign”, with owners receiving notices through dealers about the needed repair, Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said.

In the US, the repair for an oil-supply hose is being expanded to the 2007 and 2009 RAV4 sport utility vehicles and some Avalon saloon models, totalling 217,800 vehicles, lifting the total number of vehicles affected in the US to 934,000.

Toyota Motor Corporation said the problem affected about 40,000 vehicles in Japan spanning five models: the Harrier luxury model, Estima minivan, Blade hatchback, Mark X Zio saloon and Vanguard crossover.

The faulty hoses can cause engine noise and light up the oil pressure light on vehicle dashboards, according to Toyota.

In the US, the problem also affects the best-selling Camry and two Lexus models.

Regulations on car problems differ in Japan and the US. In Japan, car makers are not required to report such “voluntary repairs” to the transport ministry.

Toyota president Akio Toyoda apologised for the quality control problems in Beijing yesterday, seeking to placate growing consumer worries.

For the first time since the recall fiasco surfaced, Mr Toyoda made a formal Japanese-style deep bow of contrition that immediately followed his words of apology.

He had apologised earlier in Japan and the US, but did not offer a bow of apology.

Mr Toyoda has said the car maker grew too fast in recent years and failed to listen as closely as it should have to consumer complaints.

He was grilled by politicians at a US congressional hearing last week. Three other Toyota executives are due to appear at the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation today.

Meanwhile Vauxhall’s parent company General Motors said today it was recalling 1.3 million cars in the US, Canada and Mexico to fix power steering motors that can fail.