Archive for the ‘Recall’ Category

In a move almost too strange to be fiction, Toyota is apparently advising its Toyota and Lexus brand dealers to zip tie loose floor mats to the seats in the 3.8 million vehicles affected by the recent safety recall. Of course, it's phrased much more eloquently than that.

"We have reviewed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration what we’re calling a semipermanent floor mat installation process, and we’re providing these instructions to our dealers," Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons told Automotive News.

The "plastic wire ties" obviate the need to turn out a whole new fastening system for the mats and vehicles, allowing Toyota and...

One week ago today, owners of eight Toyota and Lexus models got an urgent plea from the U.S. Department of Transportation, delivered via the media: Remove your driver's side floor mat immediately, and don't replace it until you've taken your car to the dealer.

With much of the coverage calling it a recall of 3.8 million vehicles,  Toyota issued a cautious statement the next day saying that it wasn't yet a recall but a "safety advisory."

Well, it's a recall now.

The company will send letters to customers before the end of the month--and it left open the possibility that the list vehicles being recalled might expand beyond those already...

♦ Someone smarter than us once said that nothing succeeds like excess. If that's true, the converted ragtop, scissor-doored, six-person Prowler limo up for auction on eBay is America's next Bill Gates. It didn't make the reserve bid this go-round, but we're guessing the pimper/owner will find the chutzpah to try again. [eBay via Carscoop]

♦ Hey, buddy: need a goat? In New Zealand, you can get one when you buy a new truck. Not quite as good as a cash rebate, but better than the toaster we got from the bank. [PickupTrucks]

♦ Tesla has issued a recall for 75% of its Tesla Roadsters (i.e. the only car it has in production)....