Toyota Motor said in Japan on Wednesday that it’s considering a recall of 2009 and 2010 Corolla sedans because of power steering complaints — just as U.S. safety officials said they plan to open an investigation into Corolla steering by week’s end.The compact Corolla sedan is among the top-selling cars in the U.S. The coming investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would involve 363,000 2009 models and 136,000 2010 models.
Toyota did not say when it would decide whether to recall the cars, responsible for 165 steering complaints to NHTSA, including 12 injury incidents.
Owners say they can’t keep their cars well-controlled, usually at highway speed. One example from NHTSA files: The driver of a 2009 Corolla reported last June that “in excess of 50 mph it is difficult to keep the car tracking down the road. It feels as if the wind is whipping it around all the time.” NHTSA does not list names with complaints.
Corollas switched to electric power steering in 2009, but similar Scion xB and Matrix models with electric steering have not drawn complaints.
The Corolla might be sensitive to crosswinds or have other design problems, says David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports magazine.
The compact Corolla sedan is among the top-selling cars in the U.S. The coming investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would involve 363,000 2009 models and 136,000 2010 models.
Toyota did not say when it would decide whether to recall the cars, responsible for 165 steering complaints to NHTSA, including 12 injury incidents.
Owners say they can’t keep their cars well-controlled, usually at highway speed. One example from NHTSA files: The driver of a 2009 Corolla reported last June that “in excess of 50 mph it is difficult to keep the car tracking down the road. It feels as if the wind is whipping it around all the time.” NHTSA does not list names with complaints.
Corollas switched to electric power steering in 2009, but similar Scion xB and Matrix models with electric steering have not drawn complaints.
The Corolla might be sensitive to crosswinds or have other design problems, says David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports magazine.
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http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-02-17-toyota-president-no-appearance_N.htm
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