Toyota Announces Special Service (Recall) Campaign on Selected Echo and Prius Vehicles

TORRANCE, Calif., July 18 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., will launch a voluntary Special Service Campaign with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to replace the crankshaft position sensor on certain 2001 through early 2002 model year Echo and Prius vehicles. The connector for the crankshaft position sensor may become disconnected.

The campaign, which does not involve any hybrid components, involves approximately 34,700 vehicles (26,200 Echo and 8,500 Prius) in the U.S. There have been no reported cases of accidents or injuries related to the affected vehicles, and no cases of this condition have been reported to Toyota in the U.S.

In certain 2001 through early 2002 model year Echo and Prius vehicles, due to improper molding of the resin body of the crankshaft position sensor, engine oil may penetrate the seal and enter the connector. In addition, the shape of the locking tab to secure the sensor's wire-harness connector may be improper. In this condition, the oil may expand due to heat from the engine and deform the connector, as well as create pressure on the locking tab causing the crankshaft position sensor to become disconnected. In the worst case, if the crankshaft position sensor becomes disconnected while the vehicle is being driven, the engine will stall and will be unable to restart.

Toyota will notify owners of the involved vehicles via first class mail beginning in late-July. Owners are requested to contact their local Toyota dealer for diagnosis and repair upon receiving their notification. Replacement will be done at no charge to the owners of the vehicle.

Customers with questions or concerns should contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.