Toyota Ramps up Production of Highlander SUV and Corolla at its U.S. Plants

After the natural disasters that crippled its production in 2011, Toyota is pulling ahead with a new plan to make up for the lost ground. This week, the number one Japanese automaker announced that it will increase production of the Highlander mid-size SUV at its Princeton, Indiana plant from late 2013. Read more »

More than 420,000 Toyota and Lexus Models Recalled in the States Over Steering Issue

Toyota just can't get pass its recall problems. Today, the troubled Japanese automaker issued a voluntary recall that involves approximately 283,200 Toyota and 137,000 Lexus vehicles equipped with V6 engines to replace the crankshaft pulley.

According to the company, there is a possibility that the outer ring of the engine's crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise and/or trigger a warning light on the dashboard.

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Toyota Announces Pricing for 2012MY FJ, Highlander and Land Cruiser

It's time for Toyota to release pricing on its 2012 FJ, Highlander and Land Cruiser SUVs which continue virtually unchanged for the new model year.

Starting with the FJ, there are noteworthy upgrades for the 2012 (according to Toyota's own words) but pricing has increased by $200 or about 0.7 percent and now ranges from $25,990 for the 4x2 equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission to $27,580 for the 4x4 V6 automatic.

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Toyota and Lexus Hybrids Recalled Over Stalling Issues

A problem with the electronics of the hybrid system, which could cause certain Lexus RX 400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUVs to lose power or stop running, is the reason behind the Japanese carmaker’s latest recall.

Toyota said about 45,500 Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles from the 2006 and 2007 model years sold in the USA are affected by the voluntary recall.

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Toyota Recalling More than 300,000 RAV4 and Highlander SUVs in the States

Toyota’s U.S. division announced a voluntary recall involving certain 2007 through 2008 model year RAV4 and certain 2008 Highlander and Highlander HV SUVs sold in the States over potentially faulty air bag sensors. The Japanese company said approximately 214,000 RAV4s and 94,000 Highlanders and Highlander HVs are covered by the recall that does affect any other Toyota or Lexus models in North America. Read more »

Trapped Accelerator Pedals Come to Haunt Toyota and Lexus Again, 2.12 Million Vehicles Recalled in the USA

The Toyota Group may be off the hook over suspicions of unwanted sudden acceleration caused by software-driven throttles after the findings of the NHTSA-NASA study, but the Japanese automaker is once again making headlines over trapped accelerator pedals. Today, Toyota announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall of approximately 2.12 million vehicles in the United States to address accelerator pedals that could become entrapped in floor mats or jammed in carpeting.

More specifically, Toyota is recalling approximately 20,000 Lexus GS 300 and GS 350 All-Wheel Drive vehicles from the 2006-2007 model years to modify the shape of the plastic pad embedded in the driver’s side floor carpet. According to the company, if the floor carpet is not properly replaced in the correct position after a service operation, it is possible that the plastic pad embedded into the floor carpet may jam against the accelerator pedal and keep it from returning to the idle position.

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New Toyota Recall, this time for Toyota Avalon and Highlander, and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 740,000 vehicles in the United States to address a potential leak problem with a seal in the brake master cylinder. The models that are being recalled in the U.S. are the 2005-2006MY Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006MY Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350. Another 600,898 vehicles were recalled in Japan and approximately 200,000 in China for the same issue.

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2011 Toyota Highlander Facelift: US-Spec Model Unveiled and Priced, Hybrid Models gets New 3.5L V6

As some of you may recall, Toyota showed a redesigned version of its Highlander SUV at last month's Moscow International Motor Show. Today, the Japanese automaker released details and photos of the U.S.-spec model that will begin arriving at Toyota dealers from September 24.

Not surprisingly, the NA 2011 Highlander features the same styling updates as the model shown in Moscow. On the outside, the Highlander gets a new front fascia, hood and fenders, redesigned head lamps and tail lights, a re-trimmed rear bumper, as well as new alloy wheel designs and black rockers with chrome accents for the gasoline models.

For 2011, Toyota has further distinguished the Hybrid version that gains a unique front grille and bumper design plus color-keyed rockers with chrome accents, vertically stacked fog lamps and blue lens covers for the head lights.

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Refreshed 2011 Toyota Highlander debuts in Moscow

Toyota's spruced-up 2011 Highlander crossover made its world premiere today at this year's edition of the Moscow International Motor Show. Though Toyota is keeping its cards closed, buyers in the States should see a US launch of the facelifted crossover later this year.

The 2011 Highlander's exterior benefits significantly from a much more crisp, defined nose and headlights, along with restyled tail lamps and new bumper trim at the back. The rest of the car appears to go on mostly unchanged for the new model year.

Russian and Ukrainian buyers get a single engine option, the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline unit pumping out 273HP, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission.

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