Issue:
This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships.
On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt.
Note: This recall only affects the following block heater/cord part numbers:
C014003034 PK5A408J09 PU14000904
C014003151 PK5A408J13 PU14000905
C014000885 PK5A489J11 PU14000907
C014000888 PK5A489J22 PU14000909
C014000907 PK5A410H00 PU14000911
C014100904 PU14000900 PU14000913
C014100907 PU14000901 PU14003571
C014100911 PU14000902
PK5A408J05 PU14000903
Safety Risk:
Engine block heater wiring that overheats or melts could create the risk of a fire.
Corrective Actions:
Toyota recommends that you should stop using the engine block heater immediately. Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. For some vehicles, the corrective actions for this recall are under development. For others, a new engine block heater cannot be installed, and the owner will receive a refund of the purchase price of the engine block heater.
On certain vehicles, improper manufacturing of the Crankshaft Position Sensor body could cause engine oil to penetrate the seal and enter the sensor wiring connector. In addition, the wire harness connector may not be sufficiently attached to the locking tab of the sensor wiring connector. Engine oil inside the sensor wiring connector could cause expansion due to the heat of the engine and could deform the sensor wiring connector. In the worst case, the connector may become disconnected, which could cause the engine to stall while driving and not be able to be restarted. Correction: Dealers will replace the Crankshaft Position Sensor.
On certain vehicles, the recess that retains the rubber seal ring, which is located at the end of the brake master cylinder body, may be corroded due to an improper washing process. In this condition, brake fluid may leak from the seal, or a small amount of air may enter the master cylinder, which could lead to an increase in stopping distance. Correction: After inspection, if a brake fluid leak from the master cylinder is detected or there is air in the master cylinder, the dealer will replace the master cylinder and the brake booster.
On certain vehicles driven under repeated start and stop operation in extremely low ambient temperatures and in deep snow, there is a possibility that snow may accumulate in large quantities inside the rear wheel and freeze. Due to the shape of the rear brake tubes, the snow frozen inside the wheel may contact the rear brake tube during wheel rotation. In the worst case, if this condition occurs frequently, the rear brake tube could be damaged, which could result in leakage of brake fluid, causing a decrease in brake effectiveness. Correction: Dealers will replace the rear brake tubes.
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. Due to a unique combination of conditions, which consist of cold ambient temperatures, load applied from air conditioner and other electrical devices, and immediately after starting the engine, there is a possibility that the vacuum in the intake manifold could be insufficient for the brake booster. When the brake is applied under this combination of conditions, vacuum assist to the brakes would decrease, and the increased pedal pressure required could lead to an increase in vehicle stopping distance. Correction: dealers will replace the brake booster and front brake pads.
On certain vehicles, When driven at highway speed in extremely low temperatures, without engine warm up, condensed moisture from a Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) port may seep toward the brake vacuum port inside the intake manifold and start to freeze. If accumulated ice plugs the port, vacuum assist to the brakes will be lost and the increased brake pedal pressure required could lead to an increase in stopping distance. Correction: Vacuum port will be repaired by removing the clearance at the top of the separator between the brake vacuum port and the PCV expansion room of the intake manifold.
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