Toyota Recalls 51,000 Tundra Trucks
By: Linda Doell
Another week, another Toyota recall. Just last week, Toyota recalled 308,000 RAV4s and Highlanders because of a problem with the airbags. This time the automaker has recalled about 51,000 of its 2011 model year Tundra trucks because part of the rear drive shaft can break, the company said.
Toyota estimated that just 0.05% of the trucks -- roughly 26 trucks -- could have a slip yoke that was improperly cast at the foundry and could break. The company said it knows of one drive shaft slip yoke that broke, and in that case, there were no reports of an accident or injury.
Consumers will receive a recall letter beginning in May telling them to take the truck in to a dealer for inspection. If necessary, the rear drive shaft will be replaced for free. Call Toyota at (800) 331-4331 for more information.
The automaker has been plagued with numerous recalls in the past year that have tarnished its once-shiny image for reliability so much that consumers are now starting to say they would be less likely to buy a Toyota.
But Toyota isn't the only car maker who issued recalls in the past week. Nissanrecalled almost 200,000 Pathfinders and Infiniti QX4s because there's a possibility that winter road salt could corrode part of the sport utility vehicle's strut housing. This corrosion may lead to the steering column breaking.
