Recall - Rear Suspension Arm Corrosion: Overview

APRIL 24, 1986
(SSC #605)
Toyota will be conducting a service campaign on 1980, 1981, and 1982 Tercel to check for corrosion on the rear suspension arms. The rear suspension arms are subject to corrosion if the vehicle is operated in areas where a large amount of road salt is used to aid in snow and ice removal. Although this problem is prevalent only in heavy road salt areas, vehicle owners in all states will be notified by first class mail.

Known owners of these vehicles will be notified by mail on May 1, 1986.

1. Vehicles Involved

Model Year VIN Range Production
VDS Number Date
1980 AL10 071848 to 0176915 August 1979
thru August 1980
1981 AL21D 150009 to 316899 August 1980
AL21E AL22D
Tercel AL22G
AL25G thru
1982 AL21D 316900 to 478174
AL21E AL22G
AL25G August 1982

2. Inspection/Repair/Reimbursement Procedure

Inspection, and only if necessary, replacement of the rear suspension
arms will be conducted in all states. Anti-rust treatment will only be
conducted in the states listed below:

Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia
Illinois Indiana Iowa
Kentucky Maine Maryland
Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota
New Hampshire New Jersey New York
Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island
Vermont Virginia West Virginia
Wisconsin

Please refer to the attached detailed Instruction/Repair/Reimbursement Procedure. These procedures are divided into three sections:

Section I Inspection/Repair Procedure

Section II Completion Label

Section III Reimbursement Procedure

Your cooperation in completing this campaign will be appreciated.

Sincerely, Robert E. Bennett Corporate Service Manager

Attachments
Dear Toyota Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Toyota has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety may exist in certain 1980, 1981 and 1982 year model Toyota Tercels.

If your vehicle was operated under severe corrosion environment in below listed areas where a large amount of road salt is used to aid in snow and ice removal, the rear lower control arm of the vehicle which supports the rear wheel may rust. Should the vehicle continue to be operated under such environmental conditions, the rusting will progress and, in extreme case, the lower control arm may fail which could result in loss of vehicle control.

Areas of Very Heavy Road Salt Usage:

The areas of very heavy road salt usage, subject to this recall, are in the following states:

MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, MARYLAND, WEST VIRGINIA, VIRGINIA, OHIO, MICHIGAN, INDIANA, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KENTUCKY, DELAWARE, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Our records indicate that you own one of the subject vehicles. If your vehicle is or has been operated in these states, or if you have recently moved from one of them, we request that you contact your Toyota dealer to arrange for an inspection and if needed, to have your vehicle repaired. Should you have any questions about whether this applies to you, please contact your dealer for more information.

Your Toyota dealer will inspect the lower control arms and if necessary, rust-proof or replace them at no charge to you. It will take approximately half an hour for inspection, and if repairs are needed, additional time (up to approximately 3.5 hours) would be required.

Your Toyota dealer is equipped with all of the tools and trained technicians to conduct the campaign quickly and accurately. If, however, you feel that the dealer has failed to remedy the defect within a reasonable time, please contact your nearest Toyota Distributor Office listed on the back of this letter. If you are still not satisfied, you have the right to submit a complaint to The Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C. 20590 or call toll free the Auto Safety Hot Line at (800) 424-9393 (Washington D.C. area - call 426-0123)

We urge you to make prompt arrangements with your Toyota dealer to have your vehicle inspected. If you no longer own the vehicle, please indicate so on the enclosed postage-paid form, providing us with the name and the address of the new owner.

We regret any inconvenience this matter may cause you, and we thank you for driving a Toyota.

Sincerely yours, TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC. Corporate Service Department