Honda, Toyota recall more than 50,000 vehicles

3/7/2011

Two Japanese car makers said they are recalling more than 50,000 vehicles.

Honda Motor Co. has recalled more than 35,000 Civic hybrids in the United States to fix a problem with the electrical system that could cause the headlights to turn off or the engine to stall. Honda says the recall covers 2006-2007 model year Civic hybrids.

The company says the voltage converter that relays power from the motor assist system to the vehicle's electrical components could fail.

Honda told the government it had received seven reports of stalling engines and 82 warranty claims connected to the problem. Dealers will replace the voltage converter at no charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-March.

Owners can call Honda at 800-999-1009 and select option four.

Meanwhile, Toyota Motor Corp. has recalled about 22,000 sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks because of tire-deflation monitoring systems that may fail, U.S. regulators said.

Toyota Sequoia, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Tacoma and Tundra vehicles from model years 2008-2011 may have tire deflation monitoring systems that fail to warn drivers, raising the risk of a crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a report.

The vehicles affected left their assembly plants with working monitoring systems, but when accessory wheels were installed, the systems were not recalibrated and now lights to warn drivers of low tire pressure may fail, the report said.

The models affected will be repaired at Toyota dealerships at no cost, Toyota Motor Sales, the automaker's U.S. sales branch, told the NHTSA.

Toyota has been plagued by a series of recalls since late 2009 that now total 19 million vehicles worldwide. Two weeks ago, the automaker recalled 2.2 million vehicles for a defect that may cause gas pedals to stick, widening one of the recalls from late 2009.

The recalls have cut into Toyota sales, particularly in the United States, where most of the recalls have taken place.