News for The Sandwich Generation: More Toyota Auto Safety Recalls!

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As you deal with the Sandwich Generation issues of caring for elderly parents and being a Granny Nanny or Pappy, do you rack up the mileage on your car? I know my Sandwich Generation family minvan and I do. Since we never know when a crisis may hit, it's especially important for us to make sure our cars are running smoothly and safely. In the news – more Toyota auto safety recalls including my beloved Toyota Sienna minivan! Ouch! (Mega thanks to Cindi Matthews at Frugal New England Kitchen for the heads up on this! 🙂  )

Per their press release: 

"Toyota to Begin Voluntary Safety Recall on Certain 1998-2010 Model Year Siennas to Address Potential Corrosion on Spare Tire Cable. First- and Second-Generation Siennas In Cold Climate Areas with High Road Salt Use May Exhibit Condition.

TORRANCE, Calif., April 16, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it will launch a voluntary Safety Recall involving approximately  600,000 first- and second-generation Sienna 2WD minivans sold in the United States to address potential corrosion in the spare tire carrier cable. 

This condition may appear on certain 1998 through 2010 model year Siennas that have been operated in cold climate areas with high road salt use.  Continued prolonged exposure to road salts may cause excessive corrosion of the carrier cable in some of these vehicles.  In the worst case, the carrier cable may fail and the spare tire could become separated from the vehicle, a road hazard for following vehicles that increases the likelihood of a crash. (At the sound of my spare tire dropping onto the ground, I suspect I would jump, thus making it a hazard for us as well!!!)

Toyota is currently working to develop a remedy for this condition.  Until this remedy is developed, customers will receive an interim notice instructing them to bring their vehicle to a dealership for a preliminary inspection.

Once the remedy has been developed, customers will receive a secondary notice advising the customer of the remedy availability.

Steve St. Angelo, Toyota Chief Quality Officer for North America, said: “Toyota is listening to its customers attentively, and we want to make sure their voices are heard.  As part of that commitment, we are providing free inspections of the spare tire carrier cable even in states that are not included in this recall.   We are also working diligently to develop a remedy as soon as possible.”

In addition to the District of Columbia, vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage are covered by this recall: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

Toyota also has a list of FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about this Toyota Sienna Recall, which includes the information that, if you previously paid to have this fixed, you are eligible for reimbursement.

This particular recall caught my eye as I own this make and model car. If you own a different car, you might want to check to see how yours is doing, as consumer auto safety recalls by their manufacturer and/or the government seem to be contagious lately! The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has the perfect site to check on all makes and models of an auto and whether they are currently subject to auto safety recalls.

I am due for my car engine oil change, so I'll definitely be asking about this recall when I head in SOON! How about you and your own Sandwich Generation car or truck? And for that matter, don't forget to tell everyone in your family about this recall info – from your elderly parents down to any of your teen grandchildren who are driving! 🙂