Toyota Dismisses Rumors of Latest TSB Being a Recall

Toyota, like other respectable automobile manufacturers, actively and continuously monitors field information regarding its vehicles. In some cases, the company may issue a Special Service Campaign (SSC), which provides owners with a free repair. In other cases, a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) may be issued, updating current publications, if a special repair is needed to be performed. One of the latest TSBs issued by the company may have been misinterpreted by the media as a recall, the automaker claims.

On November 30, 2010, the Japanese manufacturer issued a TSB, instructing technicians how to repair two weld nuts that may be damaged when removing the bolts used to attach the accelerator pedal to the bulkhead. As the information is not included in the repair manual, the purpose of the TSB was to provide needed information, since repair of the weld nuts is rarely needed.

The media has inaccurately suggested that the TSB was issued to resolve customer complaints about accelerator pedal feel after the recall or that the TSB is actually a recall. Toyota dismissed all speculations, explaining that the TSB was issued following inquiries to the Toyota Technical Assistance System by a few technicians. The company added that since the part is unique to the Camry and Avalon platform, no TSB is planned for other models.

Toyota recently completed over 5 million accelerator pedal repairs, which require removal of the accelerator pedal. The recall included 1.3 million Camrys and 265,000 Avalons. Toyota said that in the course of servicing so many cars, it is not uncommon for some technicians to request assistance with the procedures.