Toyota to Recall 690,000 Tacoma Pickup Trucks

Toyota Motor Co. will recall 690,000 pickup trucks while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun a formal review into a complaint charging that 4.9 million sport-utility vehicles, trucks and vans produced by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are susceptible to engine stalling and air bag failures.

This is the second week in a row auto makers have announced major safety issues with the vehicles. Ford Motor Co. recalled 850,000 vehicles on Friday while Chrysler recalled 350,000 to repair a faulty ignition switch issue on Thursday.

Auto makers are remaining vigilant about initiating recalls in the wake of General Motors Co.'s mishandling of its faulty ignition switch. A total of 23 deaths have now been connected to the issue in which a jarring of the key can cause the switch to slip into "accessory" mode cutting power to the air bags.

Toyota said it would recall Tacoma pickup trucks for model years 2005 through 2011 over rear suspension concerns. Springs could fracture due to corrosion which could lead to a puncturing of the fuel tank. The auto maker is unaware of any fires, deaths or injuries linked to the problem. Owners will be notified when to take their vehicles into a dealer for repairs.

Separately, NHTSA notified Chrysler it will conduct a probe of a complain filed by the Center for Auto Safety charging that the auto maker's Totally Integrated Power Modules--installed on most vehicles after 2007--can cause engine stalling and disable air bags when they fail. The petition includes 70 complaints.

Write to Jeff Bennett at [e-mail]

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