Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) says it will voluntarily recall around 373,000 2000-2004 Model Year Toyota Avalons in the US to address the possibility the vehicle’s steering lock bar could break under certain conditions.
The action follows an announcement made by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan today (29 July).
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The automaker added due to improper casting of the steering lock bar, which is a component of the steering interlock system, there is a possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface.
Such a crack could expand during a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the lock bar could break. If this occurs, the interlock system may become difficult to unlock when stationary.
If the vehicle while being driven is steered to the right with sufficient lateral acceleration, a broken and loose lock bar may move toward the steering shaft.
If the engagement hole in the shaft happens to line up at the specific time the broken lock bar has moved, this could cause the steering wheel lock bar to engage, locking the steering wheel, and increasing the risk of a crash.
“Toyota is continuing to work diligently to address safety issues wherever they arise and to strengthen our global quality assurance operations so that Toyota owners can be confident in the safety of their vehicles,” said Toyota North America chief quality officer
As part of the recall, Toyota will replace the steering column bracket on vehicles involved, a procedure that takes around two hours to complete depending on the dealer’s schedule.
Toyota says it will notify owners by first class mail beginning late August to bring their vehicles to their local Toyota dealer for replacement of the steering column bracket at no charge.
The Avalon is built in the US on the Camry platform.
