TORRANCE, Calif., October 20, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it will conduct a voluntary Safety Recall involving approximately 740,000 – 2005 through 2006 Avalon, 2004 through 2006 Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350 vehicles sold in the United States to address the possibility that a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.
This action follows an announcement made by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan on October 21, 2010 (Japan).
The Toyota genuine brake fluid used during vehicle assembly for vehicles sold in the United States contains polymers. The polymers act as lubricants for certain brake system components. If during vehicle maintenance, brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers or only small amounts, a part of the internal rubber seal (brake master cylinder cup) located at the end of the brake master cylinder piston may become dry and may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder into the brake booster, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.
If the brake warning lamp has illuminated and the vehicle continues to be operated without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and braking performance may gradually decline.
Owners of the involved vehicles will be notified by first class mail beginning in early November 2010. Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed one at no charge to the vehicle owners.
Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall or www.lexus.com/recall and the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25 LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987.
This action follows an announcement made by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan on October 21, 2010 (Japan).
The Toyota genuine brake fluid used during vehicle assembly for vehicles sold in the United States contains polymers. The polymers act as lubricants for certain brake system components. If during vehicle maintenance, brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers or only small amounts, a part of the internal rubber seal (brake master cylinder cup) located at the end of the brake master cylinder piston may become dry and may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder into the brake booster, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.
If the brake warning lamp has illuminated and the vehicle continues to be operated without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and braking performance may gradually decline.
Owners of the involved vehicles will be notified by first class mail beginning in early November 2010. Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed one at no charge to the vehicle owners.
Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall or www.lexus.com/recall and the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25 LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987.
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Toyota Announces New Quality Leadership Initiatives, Building on Significant Accomplishments to Date (Oct. 5, 2010)
Brake Master Cylinder Recall
2005-2008 Toyota Corolla/Corolla Matrix Voluntary Recall:
2000-2004 Toyota Avalon Voluntary Recall:
Toyota Announces Voluntary Safety Recall on Certain Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix Models (Aug. 26, 2010)
Customer FAQs for Corolla/Corolla Matrix Recall (Aug. 26, 2010)
2003-2007 Lexus LX 470 Voluntary Recall:
2006-2008 Lexus IS 350/2007-2008 Lexus GS 350, GS 450h, LS 460, LS 460 L/2008 Lexus GS 460, LS 600h L Voluntary Recall:
Lexus Announces Intention to Recall Certain U.S. Market Vehicles to Replace Engine Valve Springs (July 2, 2010)
Lexus U.S. Statement Regarding Potential Valve Spring Issue (July 1, 2010)
2010 Lexus HS 250h Voluntary Recall:
2009-2010 Lexus LS 460 and LS 600h L Voluntary Recall:
Lexus LS Variable Gear Ratio Steering Recall Customer FAQs (May 21, 2010)
Reports Regarding Certain 2010 LS Model Steering (May 19, 2010)
2003 Toyota Sequoia Voluntary Recall:
Leading Safety and Quality Experts Named To Toyota North American Quality Advisory Panel (April 29, 2010)
Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 2003 Model-Year Sequoia to Upgrade Program Logic in Vehicle Stability Control System (April 28, 2010)
Customer FAQs for 2003 Toyota Sequoia Recall (April 28, 2010)
2010 Lexus GX 460 Voluntary Recall:
Leading Safety and Quality Experts Named To Toyota North American Quality Advisory Panel (April 29, 2010)
Update for GX 460 Recall Now Available at Lexus Dealers (April 29, 2010)
Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 2010 Model-Year Lexus GX 460 to Update Vehicle Stability Control Software (April 19, 2010)
Lexus Announces Plans to Recall and Correct GX 460 Issue (April 19, 2010)
Customer FAQs for 2010 Lexus GX 460 Recall (April 19, 2010)
1998-2010 Toyota Sienna Voluntary Recall:
Leading Safety and Quality Experts Named To Toyota North American Quality Advisory Panel (April 29, 2010)
Toyota to Begin Voluntary Safety Recall on Certain 1998-2010 Model Year Siennas to Address Potential Corrosion on Spare Tire Cable (April 16, 2010)
Customer FAQs for 1998-2010 Toyota Sienna Recall (April 16, 2010)
Congressional Hearings:
Jim Lentz Provides Progress Report to Congress on Steps Taken by Toyota to Become a More Responsive, Safety-Focused Organization (May 20, 2010)
Excerpts from Jim Lentz’s Report to Congress (May 20, 2010)
Toyota Progress Report (May 20, 2010)
Toyota Significantly Expands Number of Event Data Recorder Readout Devices in North America (May 5, 2010)
>Comprehensive Analysis Raises Concerns About Gilbert Congressional Testimony, ABC News Segment (March 8, 2010)
Toyota Statement on Rebuttal of Professor Gilbert’s 'Unintended Acceleration' Demonstration (March 5, 2010)
Toyota Responds to Waxman Committee Request (March 5, 2010)
Takeshi Uchiyamada: Testimony to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (March 2, 2010)
Shinichi Sasaki: Testimony to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (March 2, 2010)
Toyota Statement on Media Reports Regarding Internal Legal Memo (Feb. 28, 2010)
Toyota Statement on Letter From Chairman Towns (Feb. 26, 2010)
Toyota Statement on the Visit Between Toyota President Akio Toyoda and Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (Feb. 25, 2010)
Clarification of Testimony Regarding Effectiveness of Recalls (Feb. 24, 2010)
James Lentz: Testimony to House Committee on Energy and Commerce (Feb. 23, 2010)
Toyota Update: Our Work with Exponent (Feb. 23, 2010)
Statement from Akio Toyoda Responding to Invitation to Testify Before the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform (Feb. 18, 2010)
2010 Tacoma Voluntary Recall:
Leading Safety and Quality Experts Named To Toyota North American Quality Advisory Panel (April 29, 2010)
Toyota Announces 'SMART' Business Process for Quick Evaluation of Unintended Acceleration Reports (April 8, 2010)
Toyota Answers Consumer Questions Ad 001 (March 30, 2010)
Toyota Answers Consumer Questions Ad 002 (March 30, 2010)
Remarks by TMC President Akio Toyoda Following the Inaugural Meeting of the Special Committee for Global Quality (March 30, 2010)
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater to Lead Independant North American Quality Advisory Panel for Toyota (March 2, 2010)
Our Pledge to Toyota Drivers Ad (March 2, 2010)
Toyota Extends Additional Services to all U.S. Toyota and Lexus Customers Affected by Recent Recalls (Feb. 26, 2010)
Toyota to Provide Additional Services to New York Customers Affected by Recent Recalls (Feb. 24, 2010)
Toyota Extends Brake Override System to Provide an Additional Measure of Customer Confidence (Feb. 22, 2010)
Our Commitment to Customers Ad (Feb. 18, 2010)
TMC Details Approach to Quality-Related Matters (Feb. 17, 2010)
2010 Prius/2010 Lexus HS 250h/Camry Voluntary Recalls:
Leading Safety and Quality Experts Named To Toyota North American Quality Advisory Panel (April 29, 2010)
Toyota Announces 'SMART' Business Process for Quick Evaluation of Unintended Acceleration Reports (April 8, 2010)
Toyota Answers Consumer Questions Ad 001 (March 30, 2010)
Toyota Answers Consumer Questions Ad 002 (March 30, 2010)
Remarks by TMC President Akio Toyoda Following the Inaugural Meeting of the Special Committee for Global Quality (March 30, 2010)
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater to Lead Independant North American Quality Advisory Panel for Toyota (March 2, 2010)
Our Pledge to Toyota Drivers Ad (March 2, 2010)
Toyota Extends Additional Services to all U.S. Toyota and Lexus Customers Affected by Recent Recalls (Feb. 26, 2010)
Toyota to Provide Additional Services to New York Customers Affected by Recent Recalls (Feb. 24, 2010)
Our Commitment to Customers Ad (Feb. 18, 2010)
TMC Details Approach to Quality-Related Matters (Feb. 17, 2010)
Toyota's Pledge to You Ad (Feb. 10, 2010)
Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 2010 Model-Year Prius and 2010 Lexus HS 250h Vehicles to Update ABS Software (Feb. 8, 2010)
Updated Statement from Toyota Regarding Prius Brake Issue (Feb. 4, 2010)
Statement from Toyota Regarding Prius Brake Issue (Feb. 4, 2010)
Sticking Accelerator Pedal Recall:
Toyota Significantly Expands Number of Event Data Recorder Readout Devices in North America (May 5, 2010)
Leading Safety and Quality Experts Named To Toyota North American Quality Advisory Panel (April 29, 2010)
Toyota Announces 'SMART' Business Process for Quick Evaluation of Unintended Acceleration Reports (April 8, 2010)
Toyota's Statement on NHTSA Penalty Announcement (April 5, 2010/Updated April 6, 2010)
Toyota Answers Consumer Questions Ad 001 (March 30, 2010)
Toyota Answers Consumer Questions Ad 002 (March 30, 2010)
Remarks by TMC President Akio Toyoda Following the Inaugural Meeting of the Special Committee for Global Quality (March 30, 2010)
Toyota Statement on Replacing Accelerator Pedals (March 23, 2010)
>Comprehensive Analysis Raises Concerns About Gilbert Congressional Testimony, ABC News Segment (March 8, 2010)
Toyota Statement on Rebuttal of Professor Gilbert’s 'Unintended Acceleration' Demonstration (March 5, 2010)
Toyota Responds to Waxman Committee Request (March 5, 2010)
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater to Lead Independant North American Quality Advisory Panel for Toyota (March 2, 2010)
Our Pledge to Toyota Drivers Ad (March 2, 2010)
Toyota Extends Additional Services to all U.S. Toyota and Lexus Customers Affected by Recent Recalls (Feb. 26, 2010)
Toyota to Provide Additional Services to New York Customers Affected by Recent Recalls (Feb. 24, 2010)
Akio Toyoda: We Will Set a New Standard for Openness and Response Speed on Safety Issues (Feb. 22, 2010)
Toyota's Statement Regarding ABC News Broadcast Simulating Electronic Engine Controls (Feb. 22, 2010)
Toyota Extends Brake Override System to Provide an Additional Measure of Customer Confidence (Feb. 22, 2010)
Our Commitment to Customers Ad (Feb. 18, 2010)
TMC Details Approach to Quality-Related Matters (Feb. 17, 2010)
Toyota Intends to Comply with NHTSA Request (Feb. 16, 2010)
Toyota's Pledge to You Ad (Feb. 10, 2010)
There's Been a Lot of Talk About the Recall Ad (Feb. 5, 2010)
Toyota Update (Feb. 2, 2010)
An Open Letter to Toyota Customers Ad (Feb. 2, 2010)
Toyota Announces Comprehensive Plan to Fix Accelerator Pedals on Recalled Vehicles and Ensure Customer Safety (Feb. 1, 2010)
Toyota Answers Customer Questions About the Solution for Sticking Accelerator Pedals (Feb. 1, 2010/Updated Feb. 3, 2010)
A Temporary Pause to Put You First Ad (Jan. 31, 2010)
Toyota Update Statement (Jan. 30, 2010)
Update on Pedal Recall (Jan. 29, 2010)
Toyota Answers Questions About the Sticking Accelerator Pedal Recall (Jan. 29, 2010/Updated Feb. 3, 2010)
Toyota Update Regarding Recalls (Jan. 28, 2010)
Frequently Asked Questions for Sticking Accelerator Pedal Recall and Suspension of Sales (Jan. 22, 2010/Updated Feb. 3, 2010)
Statement from Toyota on Supplier CTS (Jan. 28, 2010)
Toyota Temporarily Suspends Sale of Selected Vehicles (Jan. 26, 2010/Updated Jan. 28, 2010)
Toyota Files Voluntary Safety Recall on Select Toyota Division Vehicles for Sticking Accelerator Pedal (Jan. 21, 2010/Updated Jan. 28, 2010)
Potential Floor Mat Interference with the Accelerator Pedal in Certain Toyota and Lexus Vehicles:
Toyota Significantly Expands Number of Event Data Recorder Readout Devices in North America (May 5, 2010)
Leading Safety and Quality Experts Named To Toyota North American Quality Advisory Panel (April 29, 2010)
Toyota Announces 'SMART' Business Process for Quick Evaluation of Unintended Acceleration Reports (April 8, 2010)
Toyota Answers Consumer Questions Ad 001 (March 30, 2010)
Toyota Answers Consumer Questions Ad 002 (March 30, 2010)
Remarks by TMC President Akio Toyoda Following the Inaugural Meeting of the Special Committee for Global Quality (March 30, 2010)
Toyota Responds to Inaccurate Reports of Future Prius Recall for Floormat Entrapment (March 9, 2010)
>Comprehensive Analysis Raises Concerns About Gilbert Congressional Testimony, ABC News Segment (March 8, 2010)
Toyota Statement on Rebuttal of Professor Gilbert’s 'Unintended Acceleration' Demonstration (March 5, 2010)
Toyota Responds to Waxman Committee Request (March 5, 2010)
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater to Lead Independant North American Quality Advisory Panel for Toyota (March 2, 2010)
Our Pledge to Toyota Drivers Ad (March 2, 2010)
Toyota Extends Additional Services to all U.S. Toyota and Lexus Customers Affected by Recent Recalls (Feb. 26, 2010)
Toyota to Provide Additional Services to New York Customers Affected by Recent Recalls (Feb. 24, 2010)
Our Commitment to Customers Ad (Feb. 18, 2010)
TMC Details Approach to Quality-Related Matters (Feb. 17, 2010)
Toyota Intends to Comply with NHTSA Request (Feb. 16, 2010)
Toyota's Pledge to You Ad (Feb. 10, 2010)
There's Been a Lot of Talk About the Recall Ad (Feb. 5, 2010)
An Open Letter to Toyota Customers Ad (Feb. 2, 2010)
Toyota Answers Customer Questions About the Solution for Sticking Accelerator Pedals (Feb. 1, 2010/Updated Feb. 3, 2010)
A Temporary Pause to Put You First Ad (Jan. 31, 2010)
>Setting the Record Straight (Dec. 23, 2009)
>A Healthy Discussion on Safety (Dec. 10, 2009)
Toyota Announces Details of Remedy to Address Potential Accelerator Pedal Entrapment (Nov. 25, 2009)
>Unintended Acceleration: Toyota Addresses the Issues (Nov. 6, 2009)
>Toyota's Statement Regarding NHTSA News Release (Nov. 4, 2009)
Toyota Begins Interim Notification to Owners Regarding Future Voluntary Safety Recall Related to Floor Mats (Nov. 2, 2009)
NHTSA report (Nov. 2, 2009)
Toyota owner letter (Nov. 2, 2009)
Toyota Consumer Safety Advisory: Potential Floor Mat Interference with Accelerator Pedal (Sept. 29, 2009)
Toyota/Carpeted/All-Weather Floor Mat Inspection, Application & Installation Instructions (Sept. 29, 2009)
Toyota Carpet Floor Mat Application Information Chart (Sept. 29, 2009)
Toyota All-Weather Floor Mat Quick Reference Chart (Sept. 29, 2009)
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NOTE TO CONSUMERS: We’ve received a number of comments and questions about the floor mat issue and understand the safety concerns. We want to be responsive, but the Toyota USA Newsroom is not intended as a place for consumer complaints, or detailed information about any vehicle features, specs or capabilities. These types of concerns are best handled by our Customer Experience Center where they will be routed to the appropriate customer service representative for Toyota, Scion or Lexus. You can reach our customer service representatives by calling 1-800-331-4331. Prefer to email or chat? Simply access our website email or live chat links for Toyota, Scion or Lexus.
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