A 1997 Toyota 4Runner. Photo: AutoPhoto
The hits keep coming for Toyota, but this latest round was hardly unexpected. Back on May 7, the NHTSA began an investigation into Toyota for covering up steering defects in 4Runner, compact pickup and T100 models built between 1989 and 1998. The models, which were found to have a defective steering rod, were recalled in Japan in 2004. Despite 41 documented complaints from U.S. customers, the same recall wasn’t initiated on these shores until the third quarter of 2005, nearly one full year later. According to Autoblog, a federal grand jury in New York has subpoenaed Toyota for any and all documents relating to this steering rod recall.
Toyota’s original explanation for the delay centered on the difference between driving in the United States and driving in Japan. Japanese drivers are harder on steering components, thanks to narrow roads and tighter corners. Toyota also claimed to be unaware of the 41 complaints about steering defects filed with the NHTSA.
The current maximum fine from the NHTSA is $6,000 per vehicle affected, so the question becomes, “How many trucks did Toyota sell in the U.S. between 1989 and 1998?” Multiply that number times $6,000, and you have the amount of the next check Toyota will be writing to the NHTSA.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
