Apparent Recall 11/04

[efusco]

This Link is a Babelfish translation of the Japanese announcement of a recall of many Toyota Vehicles that seems to include the Prius (NWH20 is a code for the Prius).

Here's the translation:

"1. Circumstance of trouble

(1) Because form of the contact point section for the electric load
which works in the contact point of the switch for the brake lamp is
inadequate, oxide is formed by the contact point and there are some
which contact resistance increases. Because of that, the switch
becomes continuity defective, there is a possibility the brake lamp
stopping lighting up.

(2) Because removal of the foreign material is insufficient when
producing the electromotive type fuel pump, wiring coating of the
internal motor being damaged by the foreign material, it shorts, the
fuse of the fuel pump circuit is cut off, there are times when the
motor brush wears abnormally. Because of that, the fuel pump stops
operating, there is a possibility the engine not be able to restart
stopping and becoming.

2. Contents of improvement

(1) all vehicle and the particular switch are exchanged with the
measure item.

(2) all vehicle and the particular fuel pump are exchanged with the
non-defective item.

VIN: NHW20-0001006 - NHW20-0086574
Productin Date: 2003 May 28th - 2004 June 11th"

And a Dow Jones Newswire Report:

Toyota, Isuzu Combined Recall Over 500,000 Vehicles-Kyodo (DJN)

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Toyota Motor Corp. ™ is recalling a total of
544,172 vehicles in 12 models, including the Prius and the Vitz, for
replacement of defective parts, Japan's transport ministry said Thursday,
Kyodo News Service reports.
The brake lights in the vehicles, manufactured between January 1999 and
August this year, could fail to work due to faulty switches, the biggest
Japanese automaker said in a report to Japan's Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport.
The vehicles could also fail to operate as a result of defective fuel
pumps, Kyodo said.
The 12 models include the Corolla Fielder, the Raum, the Estima Hybrid and
the Harrier as well.
Isuzu Motors Ltd. (7202.TO) also notified the ministry the same day that
it will recall 2,335 of its Forward trucks for replacement of defective
front hub bearings which could make the vehicles unworkable due to
overheating or cause fire, Kyodo reports.
The trucks were made between August 2000 and May this year, but the
defective parts were supplied by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp. (MTA.XX)
which has been involved in a series of defect coverups.
Isuzu is also recalling 328 Giga trucks to replace faulty hydraulic pipes
in the power steering mechanism to prevent fire. The trucks were
manufactured between September and early November this year, Kyodo said.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

Doesn't sound too serious, but it does sound like the parts manufacturer is going to be in some serious trouble!

[techogurl]

What is the likelyhood that this will affect US owners?

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(techogurl\";p=\"51326)</div>

What is the likelyhood that this will affect US owners?[/b]

Very high...same parts, same problems, same VIN numbers...and now we all know!! :wink:

[TonyPSchaefer]

Thanks, Evan

[bruceha_2000]

Hmmm the Babelfish translation said cars through June 11, 2004 but the Dow said through August. Guess I'll have to wait for a recall letter as mine was made in August.

Thanks for the heads up Evan

[HTMLSpinnr]

Boy, this is becoming a long list for a Toyota based car. Is it new technology design flaws, or are Toyota's parts vendors declining in quality?

I'm only glad that they're finding and rectifying these issues before they become wide-spread and appreciate Toyota's willingness for proactivity.

[ken1784]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bruceha_2000\";p=\"51340)</div>

Hmmm the Babelfish translation said cars through June 11, 2004 but the Dow said through August.  Guess I'll have to wait for a recall letter as mine was made in August.[/b]

The "through June 11" is for Prius and Dow's "through August" is for all models.

Please note that the lower 7 digits of VIN is common worldwide.
My record of total Prius sales until the end of June was 83,051 in Japan plus in the US.

Regards,
Ken@Japan

[ken1784]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco\";p=\"51324)</div>

(2) all vehicle and the particular fuel pump are exchanged with the non-defective item.[/b]

Please be informed that this (2) fuel pump exchange does NOT affect Prius.

Regards,
Ken@Japan