Toyota has recalled more than 43,000 trucks in the US over defects that could increase the risk of car crashes.
The Japanese automaker has recalled 43,395 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrids sold in the US after identifying a vulnerability in the vehicles' tow hitches.
The tow hitch is a part located at the back of the truck that is used to attach the car to the trailer for towing.
The resin tow hitch on Sequoia Hybrids is mounted on the rear bumper with a molded clip, Toyota said in a recall report,
“Due to the design of the attachment structure between the tow hitch cover and the bumper, the cover may have inadequate grip,” Toyota said. “Thus, the hitch cover may become detached from the vehicle while driving, and become a hazard on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.”
Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encouraged vehicle owners to take their cars to a dealership, which would replace the tow hitch and modify the rear bumper to better protect it at no cost.
The automaker said it will send letters to owners of the recalled vehicles by the end of October informing them about the defect.
Toyota said it's not certain how many of the recalled vehicles actually have the hitch defect.
While most of the recalled vehicles were sold in the U.S., Toyota has also recalled about 2,000 Sequoia Hybrids sold in Central and South America and the Middle East.
The Sequoia Hybrid was designed for off-roading. According to the Toyota website, the three-row hybrid SUV starts at $61,275.
In June, the automaker recalled more than 100,000 pickup trucks and Lexus cars over concerns that mechanical debris may have been left in the engines during production.
And in March, Toyota Over 380,000 trucks recalled due to brake performance issues Due to which the risk of accident may increase.
