Toyota Recall Issued for 1.5M Avalon, Highlander, and Lexus vehicles

Toyota has announced that it is recalling 1.5 million vehicles worldwide due to a potential brake problem, which will affect certain Toyota Avalon, Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX330, Lexus GS300, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 vehicles from 2004 through 2006 model years.

The Toyota recall was announced on Wednesday due to concerns that leaking brake fluid could lead to a loss of brake performance in affected vehicles.

According to Toyota, the brake systems on the affected vehicles were made to use Toyota brake fluid that contains certain polymers. If the brake fluid is replaced during maintenance with other types of fluid, they may not contain those polymers. As a result, the brake master cylinder cup, an internal rubber seal in the brake system, may become dry and curl up. This could cause brake fluid to leak out and activate the vehicle’s brake warning light.

If the problem is not addressed, brake performance will erode and the driver will begin to feel a spongy or soft feel when attempting to apply the brakes. Toyota did not report whether there were any auto accidents or injuries in connection to the brake problem.

The recall affects about 740,000 U.S.-sold Toyota vehicles, including the 2005 and 2006 model year Avalon, the 2004 through 2006 model year non-hybrid Highlander, the 2004 through 2006 Lexus RX330, and the 2006 Lexus GS300,IS250 and IS350.

This latest Toyota recalls means that the Japanese automaker has had to pull well over 12 million vehicles since September 2009. It is the largest recall since the 8.5 million cars were recalled due to sudden acceleration problems, which have resulted in a number of Toyota injury lawsuits and Toyota wrongful death lawsuits.

Toyota announced that owners of vehicles affected by the latest recall will be notified by mail beginning in November. Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup in affected vehicles for free. Customers with questions can call Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

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