Add the Sienna to the list of recalled Toyotas. The beleaguered Japanese carmaker has issued the recall for approximately 600,000 first- and second-generation Sienna 2WD minivans sold in the United States to address potential corrosion in the spare tire carrier cable.
"This condition may appear on certain 1998 through 2010 model year Siennas that have been operated in cold climate areas with high road salt use," Toyota said in a statement. "Continued prolonged exposure to road salts may cause excessive corrosion of the carrier cable in some of these vehicles. In the worst case, the carrier cable may fail and the spare tire could become separated from the vehicle, a road hazard for following vehicles that increases the likelihood of a crash."
As of now, Toyota doesn't have a remedy for the condition, but says it is working to develop one. In the meantime, customers will receive an interim notice instructing them to bring their vehicle to a dealership for a preliminary inspection.
The recall, which under normal circumstances might seem minor, is just the latest public relations problem for Toyota.
In January the company began recalling 2.3 million vehicles for "sticking accelerator pedals." Before that it was forced to recall the 2010 Prius for problems with the software controlling its brakes.
Last week it pulled its new Lexus GX 460 off the market in the US after Consumer Reports called it dangerous and gave it a rare "Don't Buy" rating.
