More bad news for Toyota – another recall

Toyota Canada is voluntarily recalling approximately 4,200 2000-2004 Model Year Toyota Avalons, due to a steering concern. The automaker says the "voluntary safety campaign" will address the possibility that the vehicle’s steering lock bar could break under certain conditions.

According to Toyota: “Because of improper casting of the steering lock bar, which is a component of the steering interlock system, there is a possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface. Such a crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the lock bar could break. If this occurs, the interlock system may become difficult to unlock when stationary. If the vehicle, while being driven, is steered to the right with sufficient lateral acceleration, a broken and loose lock bar may move toward the steering shaft. If the engagement hole in the shaft happens to line up at the specific time the broken lock bar has moved, this could cause the steering wheel lock bar to engage, locking the steering wheel, and increasing the risk of a crash."

Toyota says it is not aware of any accident related to this condition.

Toyota dealers will replace the steering column bracket, free of charge, starting in late August.

Details are available from the Toyota Customer Interaction Centre at 1-888-TOYOTA-8.