NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
593 reports125,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND BOTH REAR BEARINGS NE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND BOTH REAR BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10664363
78,230 miles · Nov 29, 2014
Service Brakes
BAD VIBRATION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. END RESULT WAS THE ROTORS,BRAKE PADS, AND BOTH CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED!! AN $800.00 BILL! DEALER STATED IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO ROAD SALT ERROSION!! THESE VEHICLES ARE PROMOTED AS OFF-ROAD/4WD GO ANYWHERE VEHICLES! I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE CALIPERS ON ANY VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED. I…
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BAD VIBRATION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. END RESULT WAS THE ROTORS,BRAKE PADS, AND BOTH CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED!! AN $800.00 BILL! DEALER STATED IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO ROAD SALT ERROSION!! THESE VEHICLES ARE PROMOTED AS OFF-ROAD/4WD GO ANYWHERE VEHICLES! I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE CALIPERS ON ANY VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED. I FEEL IT HAS TO DO WITH THE QUALITY OF STEEL THEY USE IN THESE VEHICLES AS I'VE HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION COOLERS LINES DUE TO RUST ERROSION/LEAKING OF THE METAL LINES! THE FRAME,SKID PLATES AND UNDER FRAME METAL ARE ALL FLAKING WITH RUST ERROSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10661259
130,000 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Steering
I WAS DRIVING ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY WITH DIRT SHOULDERS AT THE POSTED SPEED (65 MPH) AND AS AN 18 WHEELER PAST ME AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, IT FORCED ME OFF OF THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER. THE DROP OF THE ASPHALT TO THE SHOULDER CAUSED THE STEERING TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND I FOUND MYSELF INTO THE SHOULDER AND FORCED INTO A 180 DEGREE S…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY WITH DIRT SHOULDERS AT THE POSTED SPEED (65 MPH) AND AS AN 18 WHEELER PAST ME AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, IT FORCED ME OFF OF THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER. THE DROP OF THE ASPHALT TO THE SHOULDER CAUSED THE STEERING TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND I FOUND MYSELF INTO THE SHOULDER AND FORCED INTO A 180 DEGREE SPIN. THE STEERING ON THE FJ HAS BEEN HORRIBLE SINCE 95,000 TO 100,000 MILES AND STARTED AT AROUND 75,000. I HAVE SPOKE TO MANY FJ AND TACOMA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND READ IN MULTIPLE FORUMS AND BLOGS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE HOME BREWED REMEDIES FOR IT BUT I BELIEVE IT IS AN ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641357
110 miles · Sep 30, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructureCrashInjury
BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE IMPACT OF A HEAD ON COLLISION WHICH TOTALLED THE CAR MY SON WAS DRIVING,AND HE SUSTAINED HEAD,BACK AND NECK INJURIES BECAUSE OF THAT.THE CAR LOCKED UP AFTER THE CRASH,DISABLING HIM TO EXIT THE CAR AND HAD TO BE PULLED OUT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10640284
77,500 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Structure
I WAS CLEANING THIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE ARE TEARS IN THE SHEET METAL OF THE BODY. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION ONLINE, I FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT TOYOTA TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. IN A CRASH I DO NOT KNOW HOW WELL THE DEFECTIVE BODY PANELS WILL H…
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I WAS CLEANING THIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE ARE TEARS IN THE SHEET METAL OF THE BODY. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION ONLINE, I FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT TOYOTA TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. IN A CRASH I DO NOT KNOW HOW WELL THE DEFECTIVE BODY PANELS WILL HOLD UP AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE IN THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639112
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2014
Visibility/wiper
DUE TO THE STEEP VERTICAL ANGLE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE DEFROSTER VENT SEVERAL INCHES BACK FROM THE WINDSHIELD, THE WINDSHIELD CANNOT BE KEPT CLEAR BY THE DEFROSTER. THE AIRSTREAM FROM THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT HIT THE LOWER 1/3 OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THE LEFT HAND DRIVER SIDE AND NO AMOUNT OF AIR EVEN AT MAXIMUM …
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DUE TO THE STEEP VERTICAL ANGLE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE DEFROSTER VENT SEVERAL INCHES BACK FROM THE WINDSHIELD, THE WINDSHIELD CANNOT BE KEPT CLEAR BY THE DEFROSTER. THE AIRSTREAM FROM THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT HIT THE LOWER 1/3 OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THE LEFT HAND DRIVER SIDE AND NO AMOUNT OF AIR EVEN AT MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE WILL KEEP THE WINDSHIELD FROM ICING OVER. THE WIPER BLADES BECOME ENCRUSTED WITH ICE AND FAIL TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEARED. IN EVEN A MODEST SNOWSTORM, VISIBILITY QUICKLY DROPS TO NEARLY ZERO. MY WIFE NEARLY WRECKED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. IN ADDITION, DUE TO THE LARGE THERMAL GRADIENT ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD CAUSED BY THIS ISSUE, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS IN A HORIZONTAL LINE EXTENDING ACROSS NEARLY THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD AT THE LOCATION OF THE DEFROSTER AIRSTREAM CONTACT. THIS PHENOMENON HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES! I HAVE TALKED TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE IN COMPLETE DENIAL ABOUT THE ISSUE AND CLAIM "EVERYTHING IS WORKING AS DESIGNED". THIS IS A FATAL PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN A SNOWSTORM AND I WOULD NOT BE THE SLIGHTEST BIT SURPRISED IF THERE HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. USING FMEA (FAILURE MODE EFFECTS ANALYSIS) I WOULD RATE THE PROBABILITY OF THIS FAILURE OCCURRING TO BE A 1 (GUARANTEED TO HAPPEN) AND EFFECTS ARE CATASTROPHIC (LOSS OF OPERABILITY). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10637330
97,000 miles · Sep 9, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROM THIRD GEAR INTO FOURTH GEAR DUE TO A CLUTCH MALFUNCTION. AS RESULT, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH FR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROM THIRD GEAR INTO FOURTH GEAR DUE TO A CLUTCH MALFUNCTION. AS RESULT, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
NHTSA ODI #10631752
89,000 miles · Aug 12, 2014
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY FJ CRUISER IS SHUDDERING. IT FIRST STARTED AT LOW SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, IT NOW DOES IT AT HIGHER RATES OF SPEED (50 MPH). I WAS LED TO BELIEVE THAT IT WAS MY TIRES SINCE THEY ARE 21 INCH TIRES. I BROUGHT IT TO A DEALERSHIP A FEW WEEKS AGO (AUGUST 2014) AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. I THEN DID MY RE…
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THE TRANSMISSION ON MY FJ CRUISER IS SHUDDERING. IT FIRST STARTED AT LOW SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, IT NOW DOES IT AT HIGHER RATES OF SPEED (50 MPH). I WAS LED TO BELIEVE THAT IT WAS MY TIRES SINCE THEY ARE 21 INCH TIRES. I BROUGHT IT TO A DEALERSHIP A FEW WEEKS AGO (AUGUST 2014) AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. I THEN DID MY RESEARCH AND HAVE LEARNED THAT NUMEROUS DRIVERS OF THE 2007 FJ CRUISER ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE, AND NOW THAT THE CAR HAS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT, IT IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ONE JUST NEEDS TO GOOGLE "2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER SHUTTERING TRANSMISSION" AND YOU WILL FIND CLOSE TO 60 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP US. TOYOTA KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE AND NEEDS TO STEP UP. THIS FIX IS COSTLY... CLOSE TO $5000.00 TO REBUILD A TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10621871
50,000 miles · Aug 7, 2014
StructureCrash
THE DRIVER FOOT REST (DEAD PEDAL) ON THIS CAR BRAKES LOOSE EASILY AND BECOMES A LOOSE OBJECT UNDER AND AROUND THE DRIVER FOOT PEDALS. I HAD MIND COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AND DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL I ATTEMPED TO STOP MY CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE THE BROKEN FOOT REST HAD LODGED IT'S SELF UNDER THE BRA…
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THE DRIVER FOOT REST (DEAD PEDAL) ON THIS CAR BRAKES LOOSE EASILY AND BECOMES A LOOSE OBJECT UNDER AND AROUND THE DRIVER FOOT PEDALS. I HAD MIND COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AND DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL I ATTEMPED TO STOP MY CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE THE BROKEN FOOT REST HAD LODGED IT'S SELF UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER BRAKING LOOSE. I ENDED UP HAVING TO SWERVE AROUND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ON THE HIGHWAY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, BEFORE STOPPING WITH THE E-BRAKE ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10620736
41,000 miles · Jul 31, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I WAS DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET AND FELT A STRANGE BUT AND THEN A DISTINCT THUMP, THUMP,THUMP, SOUND BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEAL BUT THEY FAILED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY HELPFUL INFORMATION REGARDING ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SINCE I HAD THE VEHICLE AT A SHOP A…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET AND FELT A STRANGE BUT AND THEN A DISTINCT THUMP, THUMP,THUMP, SOUND BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEAL BUT THEY FAILED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY HELPFUL INFORMATION REGARDING ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SINCE I HAD THE VEHICLE AT A SHOP ALREADY AND IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, I ALLOWED AN OUTSIDE SHOP TO DO THE WORK. 1EA RING AND PINION GEAR SET, 1EA BEARINGS KIT, 1EA SEALS KIT, SYNTHETIC OIL, AND LABOR FOR A TOTAL OF $2002.20 I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE A VEHICLE WITH 41.000 MILES ON WOULD HAVE IT REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAIL IN THE MANNER THAT THIS UNIT FAILED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618025
Official recalls
8Jun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Nov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Apr 25, 2013
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 FJ Cruiser vehicles manufactured January 25, 2006 through February 23, 2013 and equipped with a Toyota Auxiliary Driving Lamp Kits mounted to the front bumper. These lamp assemblies include 55 watt bulbs and due to this wattage and mounting angle, the combination of the upper beam headlamps plus the auxiliary lamps are too bright and exceed the maximum light output allowed for an upper beam headlamp. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Light intensities above the maximum allowable limit could cause increased glare for oncoming traffic and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 55 watt bulbs with 35 watt bulbs, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Mar 15, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2013 FJ Cruiser passenger vehicles. The retractors for the front driver and passenger seat belts are mounted in the access door (rear door) panels of the vehicle. Due to insufficient strength of the access door panel, cracks may develop in the panel if the access door is repeatedly and forcefully closed over an extended period of time.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If cracks occur in the panel around the lower retractor anchor, the seat belt retractor could become detached, which could increase the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Remedy: The safety recall began on June 6, 2013. Toyota will mail an interim letter to owners late in April 2013. Remedy notifications to the owners for the repair will begin in late May 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Jun 15, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
Jun 26, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH EITHER BRIDGESTONE DUELER OR DUNLOP GRANDTREK TIRES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE INNER BEAD OF THE TIRE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. IF THE BEAD IS DAMAGED, A BULGE MAY DEVELOP ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE AND AIR MAY LEAK FROM THE AREA OF THE DAMAGED BEAD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TIRE LOSES AIR PRESSURE IT MAY LEAD TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FIVE TIRES, INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE, TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE WITHIN THE AFFECTED TIRE-TO-WHEEL ASSEMBLY RANGE AND REPLACE ALL INVOLVED TIRES WITH NEW TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. NOTE: DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE DOT SERIAL NUMBER SECTION OF THE TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS, A NUMBER OF VEHICLES WERE NOT INSPECTED CORRECTLY. TOYOTA RELAUNCHED THIS CAMPAIGN IN MID-AUGUST 2006.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗