Toyota Recalling 380K Vehicles for Corrosion, Unintended Deceleration

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. is recalling about 370,000 2004-2011 model-year Sienna minivans because of potential corrosion damage to the spare tire carrier assembly cable, the automaker said.

In a separate action, Toyota is also recalling approximately 10,500 2013 model-year Lexus GS 350 sedans because of a faulty brake pedal load-sensing switch that can cause unintended deceleration. 

The Sienna recall covers minivans originally sold or registered in certain states that use high concentrations of road salt during snow removal operations.

Sienna minivans have a spare tire carrier stowed under the vehicle, with a lightweight foam water-splash protector in front of the spare tire carrier. In some cases, however, water splashed rearward with high concentrations of road salt can reach the spare tire carrier and corrode its assembly cable, Toyota said.

Some of these Sienna vehicles were involved in a previous recall announced in April 2010. The remedy for that recall included installation of a water splash protector and application of an anti-rust agent to mitigate corrosion. But if the splash protector is misplaced or falls from the vehicle, the spare tire carrier assembly cable may still not have enough anti-rust protection.

If one of these minivans is driven in a region where road salts are frequently used, the cable may be at risk of breaking because of excessive corrosion. As a result, the spare tire could separate from the vehicle.

The Lexus GS 350 recall involves the brake assembly’s brake pedal load-sensing switch. This switch allows the brake system to detect the driver’s application of brake pedal force. Because of a manufacturing error, the switch might improperly cause the brake system to activate unexpectedly and without illuminating the rear brake lights. This could result in unexpected moderate deceleration, Toyota said.

Lexus dealers will replace the brake pedal support assembly to fix the problem. Toyota said it is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fatalities caused by this condition.

Vehicle owners can reach Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.