Toyota has announced the recall of 550,000 Lexus and Toyota vehicles, primarily in the United States, for an issue that could make it difficult to steer.
The Japanese automaker says that V6 versions of the 2004 Toyota Avalon, 2004 and 2005 Camry, Highlander, Sienna and Solara, 2006 Highlander HV, 2004 and 2005 Lexus ES330 and RX330 and 2006 RX400h vehicles are affected by the issue. Approximately 447,000 of these cars are located within the United States, with the remaining cars overseas, reports The Washington Post.
The flaw involves the outer ring of the crankshaft pulley, which may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise and a warning light to come on. If left unchecked, the belt for the power steering pump could become disengaged, which would make it much more difficult to steer.
Toyota says it has received 79 reports of this issue, but none have resulted in accidents or injuries.
Paying attention to the latest recall news is one way to ensure that your car is completely safe and in top condition. However, there may be some car repairs that aren't covered by recalls. This is why it's important to routinely take your vehicle in to an auto maintenance expert, who can quickly identify any potential issues.