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Toyota Motors, a renowned automaker, has recently issued a recall for more than 135,000 Prius hybrid cars in Japan. This action comes as a response to a concerning problem identified with the rear door handles.
According to information disclosed by the transport ministry, the affected vehicles were manufactured between November 2022 and April 2024. Despite the flaw, there have been no reported accidents attributed to this issue thus far, which is a relief.
Safety Concern Identified
The main concern revolves around insufficient waterproofing in the electronic components of the rear doors. If these components are exposed to moisture, there’s a risk of them short-circuiting. This could potentially result in the rear doors opening unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.
In light of this safety risk, Toyota has taken proactive steps by halting production and suspending order placements from dealerships until the problem is resolved. This demonstrates their commitment to ensuring the safety of their customers.
While the recall primarily affects Prius cars in Japan, it’s uncertain whether similar actions will be taken for Prius models sold in other countries.
However, Toyota has revealed that a previously suspended assembly line, dedicated to quality checks on Prius cars, will resume production of Corolla compact cars soon.
Supplier Involvement
The root cause of the issue has been traced back to door switches supplied by Tokai Rika Co, one of Toyota’s suppliers.
As a result of the recall, Tokai Rika Co anticipates significant costs, amounting to approximately 11 billion yen. This underscores the financial impact of such recalls on both the automaker and its suppliers.
While recalls can be disruptive, they are essential for maintaining vehicle safety standards. Toyota’s swift action to address this issue reflects their commitment to customer safety and underscores the importance of thorough quality control measures in automotive manufacturing.
