Recall affecting approx. 75,000 UK vehicles
Toyota’s commitment to ensuring its vehicles meet the highest safety and quality standards includes detailed monitoring of vehicle performance.
This applies to new vehicles, and to those that have been in use for some time. This rigorous process is successful in alerting us to circumstances where vehicle components or systems do not meet strict standards and allows corrective measures to be taken.
Today (14 November), Toyota GB will register recalls for certain Toyota Avensis and Toyota Corolla models (July 2001 to March 2009) and for Toyota Prius (July 2003 to April 2009) with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). The models included in this action are not new models currently on sale.
To check whether your car is affected by any recall, please visit the VIN check-up on the Toyota website.
What are the issues?
On certain Toyota Avensis, Corolla and Prius models (July 2001 to April 2009) there is a possibility of an issue with a component in the steering system – prompting a knocking or rattling and possibly a reduction in steering response. In such circumstances, the vehicle will remain safe to drive. There have been nine reported cases of this issue in Europe and no reports of any associated accidents.
Also, on Toyota Prius models there is a possibility the water pump in the hybrid system may fail. Should this happen it will be indicated by a warning light being illuminated on the dashboard. There have been three reported cases in Europe. There are no reported accidents related to this issue.
What will be done?
Customer satisfaction is of paramount importance to Toyota. Consequently, Toyota has decided to conduct recall activity to replace the hybrid system water pump and check steering shaft performance on the affected cars.
In full compliance with VOSA requirements, Toyota GB will contact the owners of all affected vehicles, asking them to make an appointment to bring their car to their nearest Toyota dealer. It is possible that some Prius will require attention for both issues.
According to model, the dealer will replace the hybrid system water pump and/or inspect the steering shaft. If the steering shaft does not meet Toyota inspection criteria, it will be repaired.
The water pump replacement should take no more than an hour and a half. If required, the steering shaft repair should be completed in an hour. This work will be carried out free of charge.
There is a registration look-up function on the Toyota website (www.toyota.co.uk) where owners can check if their vehicle is within the affected range of production.
If owners require additional information they should contact Customer Relations on 0344 701 6202.
Notes:
(1): Due to insufficient hardness treatment of some of the extension shafts, the splines that connect the extension shaft to the steering gearbox may deform if the steering wheel is frequently and forcefully turned to the full left or full right position while driving at slow speeds. This deformation may create increased internal clearance and the splines may eventually, over time, wear out. Toyota dealers will inspect the extension shaft to determine if it needs to be replaced and, if confirmed, will replace it. The inspection and repair will take approximately one hour.
(2): There is an electrically driven water pump that circulates coolant through the hybrid components. There is a possibility that the electric motor installed in the water pump may stop functioning, leading to illumination of various warning lights in the instrument panel. In limited instances, the water pump electric power supply circuit fuse may open, causing the hybrid system to stop while the vehicle is being driven.
The Recall section on the Toyota website isn’t working, not sure if you guys already know.
Hi Bryan,
If you send us your car’s details we’ll check and email you. Please contact us at toyota.contact@tgb.toyota.co.uk
Many thanks,
Ollie.
Hello Oliver,
Checking my registration I see mine is due for a recall.
I called up the Toyota Service Centre at Woodford,to book an appointment for getting the recall thing done.
However, i was told that the parts to be replaced arent available yet.
When will the Parts be available?
Hello Ronson,
Many thanks for your message.
We’ll speak with the Dealer and get them to contact you. The parts will be available next week. Your Dealer will be able to book you an appointment now however, convenient to you, for the inspection. Would you kindly message us your contact details (mobile and your car’s reg/VIN) so they can call you please, here’s our email: toyota.contact@tgb.toyota.co.uk.
Many thanks and kind regards.
Hi Oliwer,
Thank you first of all for the very helpful and useful information. Having read this article and subsequent direct enquiry at my local dealer, I am rather puzzled and probably have reason to be worried but I hope you are able to assist me and put my mind to rest. Prior to this news, I was already experiencing such issues which match very closely to the fault as described. I have intended to get this looked into. I did check on the VIN check-up and it appears to be negative. I subsequently went down to my local dealer and enquired with reference to this particular issue. The service department replied was “It only affects 2006 and up” What is going on? This is not what the official recall message implies. I would appreciate your views on this. Many thanks.
Hi Herb,
Many thanks for your post.
Firstly I’d like to highlight that the recall is purely cautionary and we are putting our customer’s safety first by checking cars. Our advice is to continue driving your car as normal. If outside of recall you are concerned about anything to do with your car we suggest you book an appointment with your Dealer who’ll thoroughly check your vehicle. The recall does depend on which model you own and the year it was manufactured. We can confirm the recall affects the following: Toyota Avensis and Toyota Corolla models (July 2001 to March 2009) and for Toyota Prius (July 2003 to April 2009).
Again, if you have any further questions we advise you either contact your Local Dealer or our Customer Relations team: http://ow.ly/fOyYT.
Many thanks and kind regards.
Hi Oliver,
I took my toyota avensis to local toyota dealer for checkup, they told me it needs parts replacement in intermediate steering shaft, parts ordered, however I complained rattling in steering at slow speed, they told me it will not be covered under call back and cost me £262 for parts. I believe the issue mentioned above covers the rattling noise.
Could you please reply.
Hello and thanks for the post. Your Toyota dealer is obviously best placed to offer expert advice but if you would like further opinion you could contact our Customer Relations department who may be able to offer some further advice. They can be contacted here: http://ow.ly/gnlfD We hope this helps.
Hi I’m going to the dealer tomorrow for my appointment to checkup
but I recently changed front leftside wishbon for making noise
from drive shaft
Hi Ripon,
I am glad you brought up this subject. As you have read, O posted my concern on Dec 4 highlighting my issue. Unfortunately, my car falls outside the Year of Manufacture. But since the symptom is very similar to what has been reported, I have good reason that the problem I face could be related to the manufacturer fault. I have left you with my email address and I would really love to find out the outcome of your visit and in fact the outcome of your case.
hi,
I am having problems with a rattle when turning left in my 07 prius. I live in Ireland. Is there a similar recall here?
Hi Fran,
We’re sorry to hear of your concerns with your Prius. If you would like to find out more about recalls announced by Toyota Ireland, you can speak to your local Dealer or contact their Customer Relations team on 01 4190222.
We hope this helps.
I have 2010 Prius and have been told by my Toyota dealer the intermediate drive shaft needs replacing and after a discount will have to pay £255 for the repair. Is this right or should there be no charge on the recall of.previous models. The 3 year warranty is out by 5 months.The mileage is 24000.
Dear Mr Scott,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
We’re sorry to hear that your drive shaft needs replacing. We advise speaking with our Customer Relations team as they’ll be able to take the time to investigate this for you and advise.
Please find their contact details here: http://ow.ly/lhebD.
Thank you for raising this with us, and once again, please accept our apologies.
Kind regards,
Toyota UK.
2012 Avensis petrol, 4door saloon with boot. From new difficult to get gear lever into 4th gear, sometimes impossible, dealer has had 2 opportunities to fix it, once by request and once at 10k service, still dreadful and would be dangerous for a less experienced driver. Electric handbrake can stick and lets me down on hill start, you would expect Toyota to be hyper sensitive to brake related problems, not so, “they are all like that” says dealer. A noise like a sick cow from the rear of the car when parking or releasing handbrake, still there at 13k miles, same response as handbrake fault.
I have leased 7 new Toyotas since 2007, had no problems, hated old Yaris autos for sluggish heavy gearbox, should have test driven them first ! Otherwise good cars. New Yaris hybrids are excellent.
So Toyota why is the Avensis, an otherwise excellent car let down so badly by dealer fixable faults?
Hi Bruce,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
We’re sorry to hear of your experience with your local Toyota Dealer and your Avensis. May we recommend speaking with our Customer Relations team as they’ll be able to look into this for you and advise accordingly. Please visit:https://mag.toyota.co.uk/how-to-contact-toyota-uk for their contact details.
Hope this helps.