Toyota Recalling 1 Million Cars for Wiper, Airbag Issues
By: NBC News
Updated: January 30, 2013
Toyota says it is recalling a total of more than 1 million vehicles, including some late-model luxury cars, due to a pair of safety problems involving defective airbags and faulty windshield wipers.
The announcement comes during the same week the maker confirmed it regained its title in 2012 as the world's best-selling automotive manufacturer. But Toyota also had more vehicles recalled than any other automaker operating in the U.S. last year - the third time it has captured that dubious distinction in four years.
The new recall involves about 752,000 Corolla and Corolla Matrix cars sold in 2003 and 2004. According to Toyota, a control module is susceptible to short-circuiting. If that happens, it could cause their airbags and front seat pre-tensioners to inadvertently deploy.
The second recall affects an estimated 270,000 Lexus IS models sold between 2006 and early 2012. The maker says, "the wiper arm nut might not be sufficiently tight. If movement of the wipers is restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow on the windshield, one or both of the wipers could become inoperative."
Toyota says it will shortly notify owners affected by its two latest recalls. Owners can also reach the company at www.toyota.com/recall and the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or www.lexus.com/recall and Lexus Customer Satisfaction (1 800-255-3987).
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