Toyota Recalls 168,000 Vehicles Citing Possible Fires

Toyota recently told federal regulators that some 168,000 of the Japanese automaker’s vehicles have a serious defect that poses a real threat to drivers, passengers and others on the road.

The company is recalling certain 2022 and 2023 model year vehicles, including the Toyota Tundra and Tundra Hybrid pickup trucks, it told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The trucks are at risk of fuel leaks that could lead to fires, according to Toyota.

“The subject vehicles are equipped with a plastic fuel tube which could move and rub against a brake line and develop a fuel leak,” Toyota said in a notice posted to its website. “A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could increase the risk of fire.”

The recall covers certain Tundra pickup trucks produced between November 2021 and July 2023.

The company plans to notify owners of recalled cars by October 9, it said in a separate defect notice filed with NHTSA. It will ask owners to bring their cars to an authorized dealer for inspection and repair.

“For all involved vehicles, Toyota dealers will replace the fuel tube with an improved part and additional clamps at no cost to customers,” the company said in the notice on its website. 

“Toyota is currently preparing the remedy parts for this recall,” it continued. “As a temporary measure until the final remedy parts are available, the dealers will install protective materials and a clamp on the fuel tube at no cost to customers.”

These kinds of recalls sadly are old hat for Toyota and other major auto manufacturers. They collectively call back millions of vehicles around the globe every year, citing a wide range of defects and malfunctions that increase the risks of accidents and injuries. 

Earlier this year, for instance, Toyota announced it was recalling 17,000 RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicles. The company said at the time that a software glitch could potentially cause the vehicles to unexpectedly shut down while driving.

Lemon Law Rights for California Honda Owners

Fortunately, car owners and lessors in California have some important rights and protections when it comes to defective vehicles.

The California lemon law requires automakers to perform a variety of repairs on vehicles while the cars are under warranty. It also forces those companies to buy back cars that they cannot or simply refuse to properly fix. That includes covering the purchase price, financing fees and other related expenses.

An auto manufacturer can instead offer to replace the vehicle under the lemon law. It is up to the owner, however, to accept or reject this alternative arrangement.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.