Toyota has issued a recall of 33,848 cars, trucks, and SUVs due to a label displaying an incorrect load-carrying capacity. The recall affects vehicles sold through distributor Gulf States Toyota and spans 22 models. Notification letters will be sent to affected owners on or before September 16, 2024, that will include corrected stickers for each model.
Unlike most recalls, which are generally tied to production issues or faulty hardware, this recall originated with Gulf States Toyota, a Texas-based Toyota distributor. The company is an official distributor of Toyota accessories. Naturally, adding new bits and bobs to your car impacts the load capacity by adding more weight to the car. Add 150 pounds of gear, and the listed load capacity decreases by 150 pounds—requiring an updated load-carrying-capacity label.
According to documents associated with the recall, Gulf States Toyota discovered a vehicle with an incorrectly modified sticker, which led to the recall. The relevant safety standard FMVSS 110 S10.2 requires „that the amount of weight the load-carrying capacity is reduced by be accurate within 1 percent of the actual added weight.“ Owners with an incorrect sticker may accidentally overload their vehicle, increasing the possibility of a crash.
Recall documents state that notification letters will be sent to dealerships on or before August 9, while letters will be sent to owners on or before September 16. The notification letters to owners will include corrected stickers for each model along with detailed replacement instructions. The company will also offer free replacements at any Toyota dealership. Owners who want to know if their vehicle may be involved in the recall can check the NHTSA recalls website or Toyota’s recall tool.
The recall includes various models such as the BZ4X, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Crown, 4Runner, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, GR Supra, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, and Venza Hybrid.
In conclusion, Toyota’s recall of 33,848 vehicles due to an issue regarding incorrect load-carrying-capacity stickers highlights the importance of accurate information for vehicle safety. Owners of the affected vehicles should take prompt action to ensure their vehicles are updated with the correct load-carrying capacity information to prevent any potential safety hazards. Toyota’s commitment to addressing this issue and providing free replacements demonstrates their dedication to customer safety and satisfaction.
