2001 Toyota Camry Ce Sedan 4-door 2.2l on 2040-cars

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What to do if the infotainment in your Lexus isn't working

According to Toyota, "errant data from our traffic and weather data service provider" caused the infotainment systems in 2014-2016 Lexus vehicles and the 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser to go into some sort of endless reboot loop. The video above shows what that looks like, in case you're interested. Obviously, it's not good – the malfunction means the audio systems, navigation and climate control systems aren't working properly, and that the hands-free mobile phone function won't work. Apparently, some owners were able to manually fix their cars by disconnecting the battery cables for 10 minutes, which forces the car's computer systems to restart. But Toyota isn't officially suggesting that people take that action. Instead, "Toyota and Lexus owners experiencing these issues should visit their dealer for a complimentary system reset and a confirmation of the system," the automaker said in a statement. It's worth noting that issues with the usability of modern infotainment systems have caused customer satisfaction scores to drop. Lexus, though, has been mostly immune to such complaints, having come in first place in J.D. Power's most recent Vehicle Dependability study. Not that you should automatically trust those findings, anyway... Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Lexus via Twitter Lexus Toyota Auto Repair Ownership Technology Infotainment

Toyota recalls 370k Sienna minivans, 10.5k Lexus GS models over separate issues

The year of the recall continues, but this time it isn't from General Motors. Toyota is announcing two, separate recalls affecting a pair of its models.
First, Toyota is recalling 370,000 Sienna minivans from the 2004 to 2011 model years that are registered or originally sold in cold-weather states. The problem is that the spare tire carrier assembly cable can be splashed by water contaminated with road salt and cause corrosion. There is a splashguard in place to prevent this, but it sometimes gets lost in "normal usage," according to the company. If the cable does break, then "the spare tire may separate from the vehicle."
This is actually the second repair for this problem for some of these vehicles. In 2010, Toyota issued a recall on 600,000 Siennas from the 1998 to 2010 model years. At the time, it installed a new splashguard and sprayed the area with an anti-rust chemical. However, according to Toyota spokesperson John Hanson speaking to Autoblog, the campaign worked for the 1998 to 2003 models but wasn't sufficient for the newer ones. For the latest recall, the vehicles are getting the entire cable replaced with a stainless steel unit and a new splashguard.

Mini Minor to be co-developed with Toyota

It was back in 2011 when Mini first showcased the prospect of an even smaller hatchback with the Rocketman concept at the Geneva Motor Show. In the nearly four years since, parent company BMW has hemmed and hawed on the possibility of putting it into production, but the latest word from Europe has it that the project is a go. According to Automobile magazine, Mini is realigning its product portfolio into five pillars: the essential hardtop we've already seen (available in two/three- and four/five-doors), the convertible, the upcoming new Clubman wagon (coming this summer with full-size auxiliary suicide doors on both sides), the next-gen Countryman crossover in 2016 and two new model lines. One will be the production version of the Superleggera roadster concept, earmarked for 2018. The other will be the Minor, a smaller city car reviving a long-gone model name and presaged by the aforementioned Rocketman concept. But for that last one, Mini won't go it alone. To develop the mini Mini, BMW will reportedly turn to its partnership with Toyota. The relationship is already set to yield a new Supra and Z4 and share fuel cell and other technologies. But this would broaden the partnership to include a small hatchback. However rather than use the existing (or next-gen) Aygo, which is already built under joint venture with PSA Peugeot Citroen (with which BMW previously had a joint engine venture), word has it that the BMW and Toyota will develop a new platform for the project – one that will be used by both partners. The new product plan doesn't leave much room for the Mini Coupe and Roadster (which have already been discontinued), for the Paceman three-door crossover (which will suffer the same fate) or for the projected seven-seater minivan. But the addition of the new Superleggera roadster and super-mini Mini aren't likely to leave us wanting for either. Related Video: