Toyota recalls 4,000 Tacoma pickups over valve springs

Thu, 07 Nov 2013

When you build as many cars and trucks as Toyota does, you're bound to run into the occasional recall. In the past month alone, the Japanese auto giant has recalled over 800,000 Camry, Avalon and Venza models over problems with the air-conditioning units, and 10,000 more before that over windshield wiper issues. Now Toyota has issued another recall notice, but this time for far fewer vehicles.

The recall revolves around the engine valve springs in the 2013 and 2014 Tacoma, specifically those fitted with the standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and not the optional 4.0-liter V6. The issue is that the valve springs are prone to cracking and breaking over time, and results from improper maintenance of the manufacturing equipment used by one of the two suppliers that outfit Toyota with the components in question.

All told, some 4,000 vehicles will be subject to the voluntary recall, the owners of which will receive notice by mail. If you think that could be you and want to get a jump on the problem, you can read the announcement below and call Toyota yourself.

Toyota Announces Recall of Certain Model Year 2013-2014 Tacoma Pickup Trucks

TORRANCE, Calif., (Nov. 6, 2013) – Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall of approximately 4,000 Model Year 2013-2014 Tacoma 4 cylinder pickup trucks.

In the involved vehicles, engine valve springs made by one of two suppliers could develop cracks and break over time due to improper maintenance of manufacturing equipment used to make the part. If this occurs, abnormal noise and rough engine performance can be noticed. In some cases the engine could fail and stop while the vehicle is being driven.

Owners of vehicles subject to this recall will receive a notification by first class mail.

Detailed information is available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and by calling the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

By Noah Joseph