Toyota Motor Co. Recalling 2004 Sienna Minivans Because Fuel Tank Is Prone to Damage

WASHINGTON August 15, 2003; The AP reported that Toyota is recalling 34,437 Sienna minivans because the fuel tank is prone to damage and could cause a fire, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday.
 
The recall covers minivans from the 2004 model year that were sold to the public starting in January.

According to NHTSA, a part of the Sienna's fuel tank was damaged during severe crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. A fire could result if fuel leaked from the damaged tank.

Toyota said there have been no injuries or fires related to the defect. The company began producing a new fuel tank as soon as it discovered the problem in July, said Toyota spokesman John Hanson.

Dealers will replace the fuel tank for free. Owners are scheduled to be notified of the recall later this month.

Official NHTSA Notice:
Make : TOYOTA Model : SIENNA Year : 2004 
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 03V291000  Recall Date : AUG 11, 2003 
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY 
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 34437 
Summary: 
 ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A PART OF THE FUEL TANK MAY BECOME DAMAGED WHEN CRASHED IN THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY’S 40 MPH FRONTAL OFFSET CRASH TEST CONDITIONS, DUE TO THE SEVERE IMPACT FORCES GENERATED.  
Consequence: 
 IF THE FUEL TANK BECOMES DAMAGED AND FUEL LEAKAGE OCCURS, A FIRE MAY RESULT IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.  
Remedy: 
 DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING LATE AUGUST OR EARLY SEPTEMBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. 
Notes: 
 TOYOTA RECALL NO. SSC 30K. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).