Drew Dowdell

Managing Editor - CheersandGears.com

September 9th, 2013

Toyota announced two voluntary recalls today totaling 235,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

The first recall of 133,000 vehicles includes 2006 - 2010 model year Highlander Hybrid and 2006 - 2008 model year Lexus RX 400h. In this recall, certain transistors in the hybrid system can be damaged by heat, forcing the vehicle into limp home mode in most cases and in some instances stop the vehicle completely while driving.

The second recall includes the Lexus IS 350, IS 350c, and GS350 from model years 2006 - 2011, totaling 103,000 vehicles. Bolts in the variable valve timing control device can come loose causing the vehicle to stop while being driven. An apparent early warning sign is an abnormal noise just after start-up.

Owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by mail.

More information is available at www.toyota.com/recall or www.lexus.com/recall or by calling 1-800-331-4331

Source: Toyota

Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of CheerandGears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter as @cheersngears

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I am glad to see voluntary recalls which I think some manufacturers shied away from in the past. The sticking accelerators are a good example and my understanding was it took a while to get it out to the public. Our small town is where one of those recalls ended in a tragedy. It is better to risk a bit of bad PR than anyone's safety.

Wow, I'm glad this didn't happen with my Prius car. It makes me think highly of Toyota though. Hope they fix and prevent those problems!

step in the right direction by attacking the issue rather than deigning it like Ford has done before plus many others.