Toyota and Nissan had the mid-size truck market to themselves for years. GM now return with American built trucks – Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.
Toyota is recalling 790,000 Tacoma pickup trucks from model years 2005-11 globally. About 690,000 Tacoma 4×4 and Tacoma Pre-Runner pickup trucks are in the United States with a rear leaf spring that can break and pierce the gas tank or cut a brake line Toyota said Monday.
The Tacoma rear suspension has leaf springs with either three or four leaves. A leaf could fracture due to stress and corrosion. When this happens and the Tacoma continues to be driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components, including the fuel tank. If the broken leaf contacts the fuel tank repeatedly, it could puncture the tank and cause a fuel leak, which could result in a fire.
Toyota claimed it is not aware of any fires, crashes, injuries or fatalities associated with its latest safety defect that it has told NHTSA about in its required legal filing. However, NHTSA has several hair-raising complaints from Tacoma owners about incidents.
