Recall 12V-373: 2010 Lexus HS 250 Hybrid, 2006–2011 Toyota RAV4
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing recall for suspension, reported to NHTSA on Aug 2, 2012, covering about 780,584 vehicles.
The problem
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust, leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
The risk
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear tie-rod nut for looseness and replace any suspect tie-rod found loose. Dealers will also affix instructions in multiple places to prevent improper servicing in the future. The recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall details
| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Component | Suspension › Rear |
| Recall started by | NHTSA (Office of Defects Investigation) |
| NHTSA campaign number | 12V373000 |
Vehicles in this recall
| Vehicle | Model years | |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus HS 250 Hybrid | 2010 | All years |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 | All years |
Not every vehicle of these model years is included. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls ↗ or ask a dealer.
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V-373?
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust, leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
How is recall 12V-373 fixed?
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear tie-rod nut for looseness and replace any suspect tie-rod found loose. Dealers will also affix instructions in multiple places to prevent improper servicing in the future. The recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check whether your vehicle is included with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.