Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing will recall almost 700 vehicles after finding loose bolts that can cause dangerous wheel detachment.
The Plano, Texas-based manufacturer sent the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Oct. 11, 2018 a safety recall report stating they will recall 681 2019 Toyota C-HR vehicles built from June 30, 2018 to July 28, 2018.
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The affected vehicles are built with left- and right-side rear axle hub bearing assemblies connected to the rear axle carrier sub-assemblies by four rear axle bearing bolts. Some of these vehicles can contain rear axle bearing bolts that weren’t sufficiently tightened during manufacturing. These bolts can come loose while driving and detach, damaging rear brake components or making the entire rear wheel detach, increasing crash risk.
Toyota’s defect information report states the affected vehicles were assembled at the company’s Turkey-based manufacturing plant. Company officials first learned of the issue after receiving a report from the Russian market regarding one missing bearing bolt and three loose bolts. Engineers reviewed the manufacturing process and found tightening errors occurred following a planned facility shutdown. Engineers determined equipment changes during the shutdown and failure to adjust procedures afterward caused tightening errors.
Toyota determined the scope of the problem and confirmed which markets contained affected vehicles, including the United States. The company decided to begin a recall on Oct. 5, 2018.
Toyota will notify owners and dealers will inspect the rear axle hub bearing bolts. If a bolt is found to be loose or detached, the dealer will replace the rear axle hub bearing assembly and rear axle carrier sub-assembly for free. The recall will begin Nov. 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota’s number for this recall is J0Y. Toyota owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
Your vehicle’s manufacturer is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide your recalled vehicle’s loss value, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.
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