ToyotaSure people make mistakes, but wow does it seem like Toyota makes a whole lot more than people producing the vehicles we drive should. This time it's 420,000 vehicles they're voluntarily recalling.

Since 2009, Toyota has recalled 13 million vehicles in the United States alone, according to the Los Angeles Times. It was just back in February that 2.2 million cars were recalled due to a random acceleration problem. That's a whole lot of recalling. And it's frightening when you think about the huge number of Toyotas you pass on the street every day. Just what is under those hoods?

Here's what you need to know if you have a Toyota.

According to the company, it's a crankshaft pulley on the V6 engine that needs to be replaced. If it's not, then "the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley and the driver may notice a sudden increase in steering effort." Sounds dangerous to me. 

Who needs to worry? For now, at least, it's those with the following vehicles:

  • 2004 Avalon
  • 2004 and 2005 Camry, Highlander, Sienna, and Solara
  • 2006 Highlander HV
  • 2004 and 2005 ES330 and RX330
  • 2006 RX400h

But don't think you can run out and get it fixed anytime soon. The company doesn't actually have all the necessary parts yet, so you're going to have to wait. Once they do, then owners will start getting letters -- probably in January -- telling them to head to their dealership to get the problem fixed free of charge.

Until then? Hope for the best or take the bus, I guess. Toyota offers something slightly more tangible and says that "if an abnormal noise is heard coming from the engine compartment, the owner is asked to make an appointment with any Toyota or Lexus dealer to have the vehicle inspected for this condition." 

I traded my Toyota for a Honda recently, and this latest recall just reinforces the fact I did the right thing. If I hadn't already, I think I'd probably be doing some car shopping sometime soon. Mistakes are one thing, but a continuous slew of them made in vehicles in which we put our lives is another, very serious matter.

For more information on the recall, visit www.toyota.com/recall and the Toyota Customer Experience Center (1-800-331-4331) or www.lexus.com/recall and Lexus Customer Satisfaction (1-800-255-3987).

Do you drive a Toyota? How do you feel about this latest recall?


Image via danielctw/Flickr