WASHINGTON (May 27, 2010)—Distributors for Toyota Motor Corp. are recalling more than 424,000 vehicles because labels detailing the load-carrying capacity of tires are missing or less accurate than required.
The recall notices by Gulf States Toyota Inc. of Houston and Southeast Toyota Distributors of Deerfield Beach, Fla., were posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website. They include Sienna minivans, Prius hybrids and Camry and Corolla cars. Owners of the affected vehicles, which included model years from 2005 to 2011, will be notified by mail.
“The true vehicle load-carrying capacity is important to know,” said a spokesman for Toyota's U.S. unit, based in Torrance, Calif. The data is particularly significant for vehicles such as trucks that may have heavy accessories including running boards or light racks added, he said.
What company or companies made the tires wasn't disclosed. A NHTSA spokeswoman declined to comment on the action.
Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for defects that may cause sudden acceleration.