Toyota is recalling more than 43,000 hybrid SUVs called Sequoias due to the risk of a part falling off and causing an accident.
The issue concerns the vehicle's tow hitch cover, which the automaker says could become a road hazard if it falls off the rear bumper while drivers are operating the SUV, Fox Business reports. Reported on tuesday.
The media continues:
“The affected vehicles are equipped with a plastic tow hitch cover that is secured to the rear bumper with molded clips,” Toyota said in a recall report submitted to NHTSA. [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]”Due to the design of the tow hitch cover and bumper mounting structure, the retention strength of the cover may be insufficient.”
To fix the tow hitch cover issue, the company said owners will need to take their Sequoia Hybrid to a dealer where a dealer will install a new replacement cover free of charge. In conjunction with this, the rear bumper will also be modified.
Toyota said it would notify owners in October, saying the issue only affects 2023-2024 model years with a tow hitch cover.
“Other Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in the United States are equipped with a different design of tow hitch cover or are not equipped with a tow hitch cover at all,” the company said.
Toyota recalled more than 2,000 all-electric SUVs in 2022 because wheels or axles could come off the vehicle, Breitbart News reported at the time.
“Toyota Motor Corp.'s share price fell on the news, and the company instructed owners of the new bZ4X to immediately stop driving and exit their vehicles in response to this 'embarrassing' incident,” the article read.
Despite President Joe Biden urging Americans to make environmentally friendly choices when it comes to their vehicles, drivers appear to be choosing gasoline-powered cars over electric vehicles, Breitbart News reported on May 19.
According to a report from ISeeCars.com, drivers are 20 percent less likely to use electric vehicles (EVs) than gasoline-powered cars.
Additionally, Breitbart News reported on May 23 that “a recent study found that electric and hybrid vehicles are twice as likely to hit pedestrians as gasoline or diesel cars, especially in urban areas.”
