Toyota Recall Update #26: 2009-'10 Corolla Steering Complaints May Trigger Federal Probe

WASHINGTON: Feb 10, 2010 - Just hours after Toyota announced another recall of its high-profile Prius hybrid, federal officials said they may look into complaints about steering problems on the 2009-'10 Toyota Corolla, according to media reports. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had yet to launch a formal defects investigation, often the precursor to a recall, as of early Tuesday afternoon.

It is clear from NHTSA's Web site, however, that consumer complaints about the Corolla's steering are mounting.

"Gentle turns of the wheel can result in exaggerated motions," wrote one unidentified consumer in the section that allows consumers to post complaints.

Another wrote: "I bought my 2010 Corolla on Jan. 13. When I drove it home for the first time, I found it was very hard to keep it in the center of the lane at highway speeds." The consumer said the vehicle was returned to the dealer and "they made some adjust [sic] and it is not that bad now. But the problem still exists. I think this problem is more serious than the gas pedal problem because this affect [sic] driving immediately and directly. Toyota says that this is how it is designed and we have to adapt ourself [sic]. But no matter how the steering system is designed, moving straight forward should not be an issue."

NHTSA receives thousands of complaints about vehicles every year, not all of which end up with a recall. It has received several dozen complaints about the Corolla.

In the meantime, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood issued a statement on Tuesday in response to Toyota's third major vehicle recall. LaHood said that the federal government will "hold [Toyota] to that promise" to take U.S. safety concerns seriously.

Congress postponed one hearing scheduled for Wednesday on Toyota's mounting safety problems due to an impending snowstorm.

Source: Indiacar.com Source: http://www.insideline.com (2/9/2010)