Toyota, the Japanese automaker, recently announced an expansion of its recall of some passenger cars, trucks, minivans and SUVs. The latest recall notice, which covers both Toyota and Lexus brands, affects 1.8 million vehicles in the U.S.
The recall addresses faulty fuel pumps that may lead to engine stalls or reduced vehicle performance. If you have a covered vehicle, Toyota pledges to replace your vehicle’s fuel pump for free. You should not ignore this important safety recall.
A potential safety risk
Fuel pumps deliver a steady supply of gasoline to vehicle engines. If there is something wrong with a car’s fuel pump, its engine may perform unpredictably or quit working altogether.
If your car sputters or stalls when you are driving down the highway, you may lose control of the vehicle. A stalled vehicle may also put you at risk of a serious broadside or rear-end collision.
While a bad fuel pump is certainly a potential safety risk, representatives from Toyota have not yet addressed whether the fuel pump problem has caused any injuries or deaths.
Your next step
The latest Toyota recall covers many vehicles, including some older ones. If you have a Toyota or Lexus vehicle with a model year of 2013 or later, you may receive a post card from the manufacturer. You do not have to wait to see if your vehicle is subject to the recall, though.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a database of active safety recalls. Simply enter your vehicle’s identification number into the search feature to see if your vehicle’s fuel pump is potentially putting your life in danger.
