— Toyota is recalling more than 3,100 model year 2015 Toyota Yaris cars at risk of stability problems.
The cars are equipped with front shock absorbers (struts) mounted to the car through mounting bearings and front suspension support assemblies. Toyota says a strut mounting bearing could be damaged if the strut takes a hit, such as driving over a large bump. A driver will likely hear noise when turning the steering wheel or when traveling on uneven roads, and continuing to drive the Yaris could cause stability problems.
Toyota got a hint of the problem in 2015 when it received a European report of strange noise coming from the right front of a Toyota Yaris. In addition, the automaker says a problem was noticed with abnormal wear on the front suspension strut rod.
An internal investigation found the upper ring of the strut mounting bearing was damaged which allowed the strut to move, causing the noise and wear of the strut rod. No problem could be found at the plant with assembly procedures or machines, so Toyota took a look at the history of the design.
The automaker discovered a steel cap strut mounting bearing had been changed to using a resin material cap in January 2015, in addition to a change of the shape of the upper ring. The problem with the European Yaris occurred with a resin cap strut mounting bearing.
By May 2016, Toyota received a U.S. dealer report indicating a thumping noise from the right front of the car and a separating of the strut mounting bearing.
As in the other case, the Yaris used a cap made of resin, so Toyota performed a test of a Yaris driven over a bump at high speeds using a bearing with a resin cap. The result was a damaged upper ring, leading to the discovery of a difference in the shape between the prototype used in beginning tests and the ring installed on the cars.
The 2015 Yaris cars were manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 27, 2015.
Toyota dealers will replace the strut mounting bearings and if the bearing is damaged, the strut and front suspension support assembly with be replaced.
The Yaris recall should begin July 24, 2016. Toyota dealers will replace the strut mounting bearings and if the bearing is damaged, the strut and front suspension support assembly with be replaced.
Toyota Yaris owners can contact the automaker at 800-331-4331 and use recall number G0S.
