Toyota recently announced that it is recalling 2008 model year Highlander and Highlander HV in the United States after the company discovered that around 39,100 Stainless Steel Exhaust Tip retention clamps might fall off in certain conditions. What's interesting is that Toyota says that 39,100 accessory kits are affected but, just to remain on the safe side, the company will recall and inspect a total of 121,000 vehicles.
"Due to improper heat treatment, the original clamp used to secure the stainless steel exhaust tip to the exhaust pipe may develop microscopic cracks. If this occurs, the crack may expand causing the clamp to break and in the worst case the exhaust tip may fall off," the company explained the subject of the recall.
No other Toyota or Lexus models are involved in this recall, the company said, with first cars to be inspected in authorized service centers in early May.
"Toyota will inform owners of the involved vehicles with a Safety Recall notification via first-class mail beginning in early May. The notification will include inspection instructions for owners to determine if their vehicle is equipped with this accessory. Affected owners are requested to contact their local Toyota dealer for inspection and repair," it added.
The second-generation Toyota Highlander was officially unveiled at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show and is currently produced in Japan for all global markets. The Japanese automaker also planned to build the model year 2011 in Blue Springs, Mississippi for the North American market but, due to the current economic situation, the upcoming model will be rolled off the lines of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana.
"Due to improper heat treatment, the original clamp used to secure the stainless steel exhaust tip to the exhaust pipe may develop microscopic cracks. If this occurs, the crack may expand causing the clamp to break and in the worst case the exhaust tip may fall off," the company explained the subject of the recall.
No other Toyota or Lexus models are involved in this recall, the company said, with first cars to be inspected in authorized service centers in early May.
"Toyota will inform owners of the involved vehicles with a Safety Recall notification via first-class mail beginning in early May. The notification will include inspection instructions for owners to determine if their vehicle is equipped with this accessory. Affected owners are requested to contact their local Toyota dealer for inspection and repair," it added.
The second-generation Toyota Highlander was officially unveiled at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show and is currently produced in Japan for all global markets. The Japanese automaker also planned to build the model year 2011 in Blue Springs, Mississippi for the North American market but, due to the current economic situation, the upcoming model will be rolled off the lines of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana.