Toyota’s at it again: this time they’re recalling about 50,000 2003 Sequoias for issues with the stability control (Not related to the Lexus GX 460/Toyota Land Cruiser Prado recall).
What could happen, is that the stability control could activate for a few seconds after accelerating from a standstill, causing the car to accelerate at a slower rate than the driver expects it to. The problem should only occur below 9 mph.
Interestingly, a Technical Service Bulletin was issued for the problem back in 2003, and about half of the affected cars have been serviced under warranty. Toyota claims the recall has been launched to try and service the other half.
Owners will be notified in late May, including owners who have already had their cars serviced. These owners can mail a copy of their repair order to Toyota for a reimbursement of the money paid. Cars which haven’t been serviced will get the stability control reprogrammed.
Press Release
Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 2003 Model-Year Sequoia to Upgrade Program Logic in Vehicle Stability Control System
Customer FAQs for 2003 Toyota Sequoia Recall
TORRANCE, Calif., April 28, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 50,000 early-2003 Model-Year Toyota Sequoia sport utility vehicles to upgrade program logic in its Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system.
The VSC system can help control a loss of traction in turns as a result of front or rear tire slippage during cornering. In vehicles without the upgrade, the VSC system could, in limited situations, activate at low speed (approximately 9 mph) for a few seconds after acceleration from a stopped position and, as a result, the vehicle may not accelerate as quickly as the driver expects. There have been no reported injuries or accidents as a result of this condition.
Toyota instituted a running production change during the 2003 model year and published a Technical Service Bulletin to address this issue when it was first identified in fall 2003. Since that time, Toyota has been responding to individual owner concerns by replacing the Skid Control Engine Control Unit (ECU) in Sequoias impacted by this condition. Of the approximately 50,000 vehicles included in this recall, approximately half have already been serviced under warranty.
Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America, said: “Toyota is committed to investigating customer complaints more aggressively and to responding quickly to issues we identify in our vehicles. As a result, we are voluntarily launching this recall to ensure that as many 2003 Sequoias as possible are serviced to the full satisfaction of our customers.”
Starting in late May, Toyota will begin mailing letters to all 2003 Model-Year Sequoia owners included in this recall, including owners of vehicles that have been previously serviced. If a customer has previously paid to replace the Skid Control ECU for this specific condition prior to receiving a letter, the customer should mail a copy of their repair order, to the following address for reimbursement consideration: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Toyota Customer Experience, WC 10, 19001 South Western Avenue, Torrance, CA 90509.
Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Source: Toyota