agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Toyota Recalls 2.5 Million Vehicles on Fire Risk

October 10, 2012
2 min to read


TORRANCE, Calif. – Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. (TMS) will conduct a safety recall involving approximately 2.5 million vehicles to inspect and apply special fluorine grease to the driver’s side Power Window Master Switch (PWMS). The vehicles involved include:


• 2007 to 2008 Yaris (approx. 110,300)

Ad Loading...

• 2007 to 2009 RAV4 (approx. 336,400)

• 2007 to 2009 Tundra (approx. 337,100)

• 2007 to 2009 Camry (approx. 938,100)

• 2007 to 2009 Camry Hybrid (approx. 116,800)

• 2008 to 2009 Scion xD (approx. 34,400)

Ad Loading...

• 2008 to 2009 Scion xA (approx. 77,500)

• 2008 to 2009 Sequoia (approx. 38,500)

• 2008 Highlander (approx. 135,400)

• 2008 Highlander Hybrid (approx. 23,200)

• 2009 Corolla (approx. 270,900)

Ad Loading...

• 2009 Matrix (approx. 53,800)


The driver’s side PWMS may experience a “notchy” or sticky feel during operation. If commercially available lubricants are applied to the switch in an attempt to address the problem, melting of the switch assembly or smoke could occur and lead to a fire under some circumstances.


The “notchy” or sticky feel may be caused by an uneven application of the grease during the switch assembly process at the supplier. If the grease is not applied evenly, frequent use of the switch and normal operation may cause the grease to become carbonized and may eventually result in the deterioration of its lubricating properties.


The recall remedy will involve an inspection, switch disassembly and application of special fluorine grease. The switch inspection and repair will be performed at no charge to the vehicle owner.


Owners of vehicles covered by this safety recall will receive a notification letter via first class mail starting in late October 2012. The repair will take approximately one hour depending on the dealer’s work schedule. This recall is for U.S. market vehicles only. No other Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicles are involved, and the company stated that it is not aware of any vehicle crashes for this condition.

More Industry

Two white men's shaking hands
Industry•October 15, 2026

Penske Auto Group Deal a Record

The deal to take the dealership and transportation services company private sets a new pace for industry buy-sell transactions.

Read More →
Rows of cars parked in exterior lot
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 8, 2026

War Toll a Damper on Used Auto Prices

Cox Automotive found wholesale depreciation to be elevated in September amid high fuel prices and this year's unusual hurricane season.

Read More →
Mechanic cleaning interior of engine
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 8, 2026

Bridge the Maintenance Gap

With many drivers missing recommended maintenance, service departments offering transparency and efficiency have a better chance of reaching financially strained consumers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Ford F-150 truck rounding a curve
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 1, 2026

California Store Has New Owner

The longtime dealership in the northern part of the state is known for robust fleet sales and has served the state capital for 115 years.

Read More →
crane lowering a pipeline into the ground
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 1, 2026

BMW Plant Pursues Cleaner Energy

BMW Group Plant Leipzig has utilized hydrogen to help power its production since 2013, but a new pipeline is planned to take it to another level.

Read More →
Two dodge cars outside of dealership.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 17, 2026

Auto Affordability Inches Up

The latest Cox Automotive and Moody’s Analytics index shows a slight increase in new-vehicle affordability despite high prices.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Five men smiling for photo in front of Honda car dealership.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 10, 2026

Ohio Auto Group Under New Ownership

After 79 years with the Schluter family, Mansfield Auto Group has been acquired by Missouri-based Clement Auto Group.

Read More →
Blue and white RV parked on beach facing the ocean.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 3, 2026

RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint

Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.

Read More →
Photo of two men and one woman on a discussion panel
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•September 1, 2026

Agent Acumen

An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Gloved hand holding two wrenches next to “Turn Overdue into Opportunity” Graphic
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•August 27, 2026

Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity

As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...