Spare Tyre Cable Concerns Prompt US Toyota Recall

The risk that cable corrosion could lead to spare tyres coming loose and causing safety hazards has led Toyota to begin the voluntary recall of around 600,000 vehicles in the US. The manufacturer is recalling first and second generation Siena 2WS minivans sold between 1998 and early 2010 to address a problem that may occur on vehicles that have been driven in cold climate areas where salt is frequently used to de-ice the roads. Toyota says it is currently working to develop a remedy for this condition, and until this remedy is developed, customers will receive an interim notice instructing them to bring their vehicle to a dealership for a preliminary inspection. Once the remedy has been developed, customers will receive a secondary notice advising the customer of the remedy availability.

“Toyota is listening to its customers attentively, and we want to make sure their voices are heard,” said Steve St. Angelo, chief quality officer for Toyota in North America. “As part of that commitment, we are providing free inspections of the spare tyre carrier cable even in states that are not included in this recall. We are also working diligently to develop a remedy as soon as possible.”