Toyota to recall 870,000 Sienna minivans for rusty spare-tire cables

[DainBramaged]

Toyota Motor Corp said it would recall 870,000 Sienna minivans sold in the United States and Canada since the 1998 model year because of a risk that the spare tire could drop onto the road.

The recalls cover minivans sold in 20 cold-weather U.S. states and Canada due to potential corrosion from long-term exposure to road salt that could in the worst case cause the spare tire to separate from the vehicle, Toyota said.

All told, the recalls cover some 600,000 two-wheel-drive Sienna minivans from the 1998 to 2010 model years sold or registered in the United States and 270,000 of the same vehicles in Canada.

Friday's action pushes the number of Toyota vehicles recalled since late last year to more than 9.3 million. Most address the risk of unintended acceleration tied to faulty gas pedals and floor mats that can interfere with pedals. The Prius and other hybrids have also been recalled for brake problems.

On Tuesday, Toyota halted sales of its Lexus GX 460 SUV after Consumer Reports said its handling in certain curves posed a "safety risk."


Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100416/RETAIL05/100419906/1147#ixzz0lVwzmwkP

[havocmom]

1. We checked ours yesterday. Might just take the donut spare off and store it

Donut spares do no good for where we live. We got a full sized spare and have it latched down INSIDE the van as it won't fit where the donut goes.

[DainBramaged]

2. GM has been using stainless steel cables for decades, don't rust

the wheel rusts first....