Toyota is recalling more than 600,000 trucks and SUVs due to safety concerns

The car manufacturer said that more than 600,000 Toyota pickup trucks and SUVs were voluntarily recalled in the United States over the past week due to various problems that may increase the risk of accidents.

The first announcement was in February, and a report dated November 21 stated that about 280,000 vehicles were recalled, including the Toyota Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, and Lexus LX600 vehicles from the 2022-2024 model years and the Sequoia Hybrid vehicles from the 2023-2024 model years, because “certain parts of the transmission It may not disengage immediately when the vehicle is shifted into neutral.” Toyota said in a statement.

“The defect could allow some engine power to continue to be transmitted to the wheels and could allow the vehicle to unintentionally creep forward at low speed when on a flat surface and the brakes are not being applied, resulting in an increased risk of a crash,” Toyota said.

a Defect information report It was posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website that affected vehicles could “unintentionally crawl forward at low speeds (up to about 4 mph).”

The second recall, announced Tuesday, affects approximately 381,000 Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks from 2022 and 2023. According to the company.

Welding debris remaining on the ends of the rear axle assembly can “cause the nuts to loosen over time and eventually fall off, potentially causing a section to separate from the axle,” Toyota said in a statement.

“If separation occurs, it could affect vehicle stability and braking performance, increasing the risk of an accident,” Toyota said.

Only 2022 and 2023 Tacomas are “affected by this recall,” Toyota spokeswoman Amanda Rourke said in an email.

“If the vehicle is operated with loose lug nuts, the driver may experience vibration, hear an abnormal noise, and/or notice differential oil leaking,” she said.

Toyota declined to comment on whether any of the problems that led to the recalls resulted in any accidents or injuries.

Toyota said owners of affected vehicles will be notified of the recalls by late April, and should go to their local dealers for appropriate repairs.