Toyota asserts Matrix power steering not defective

Toyota recalls earlier this year may have masked an investigation the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration performed on nearly a billion 2009 and 2010 Toyota Matrix and Toyota Corolla cars. Power steering issues were up for analysis. Auto Blog reports that Toyota has gone on record as saying that the potential safety defect isn’t really really a defect. Toyota is so sure of this that the company thinks it can keep away from another recall and instead provide free repairs to any customers who ask.

Toyota Matrix power steering may drift or lock

One of the most amazing aspect of this issue is that Toyota is not saying that frozen or drifting power steering units in Toyota Matrix and Corollas aren’t safety defects. The automaker has 437 complaints (11 of those related to injury and 18 to crashes), but their term for the issue is that it’s a “customer satisfaction” problem, rather than a safety defect. AutoBlog indicates that Toyota has advised its dealers via a Technical Service Bulletin that tire pressure and alignment should be considered culprits first. If that doesn’t fix the steering issue, then a new unit that has been tuned with a different feel should be inserted to the Matrix or Corolla in question.

Interestingly, GM’s Pontiac Vibe – which is widely considered a Matrix “twin” – may have the exact same kind of steering issues, writes AutoBlog.

Avoiding recall will conserve Toyota green

If Toyota is allowed to go with not recalling the 2009 and 2010 Toyota Matrix or Corolla, they’ll save money and stay away from having to report to regulators. But the NHTSA may have to sign off on the “non-defect” idea first. At this time, they’re nevertheless investigating. Toyota certainly doesn’t want one more public relations nightmare, and this situation could be one more storm on the horizon. A forced recall could strike down any goodwill Toyota has been able to salvage with the public of late.

Citations

AutoBlog

autoblog.com/2010/07/13/report-toyota-says-corolla-matrix-steering-issue-not-a-defect/