BREAKING: Toyota to recall 373,000 2000-2004 Avalon sedans in U.S. over faulty steering locks

July 31, 2010 by admin
Filed under Recalls

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

2003 Toyota Avalon XLS – click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota Motor Corporation’s recall woes have resurfaced today with official word that the company will recall some 373,000 second-generation Toyota Avalon models built between the 2000 and 2004 model years.

According to the Japanese automaker, the full-size sedans’ steering lock bars can crack, eventually leading to a break. If that failure occurs, the steering column interlock system can become difficult to unlock when parked, potentially disabling the vehicle. Worse, if the driver is in a right-hand turn with “sufficient lateral acceleration,” under very specific conditions, the damaged lock bar can actually engage, locking the steering wheel and disabling steering control of the vehicle, a condition that increases the likelihood of an accident.

For its part, Toyota says it is unaware of any crashes stemming from the Avalon’s steering interlock issue, and it will replace the steering column bracket in affected vehicles for free. The complete press release is available after the jump.

Gallery: 2003 Toyota Avalon XLS