Toyota, Honda, Chrysler recalling nearly 80,000 vehicles

Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC are recalling nearly 80,000 vehicles over safety concerns, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.



Toyota is recalling about 22,000 SUVs and pickups because of tire-deflation monitoring systems that may fail, U.S. regulators said.



Toyota Sequoia, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Tacoma and Tundra vehicles from the 2008 through 2011 model years may have tire deflation monitoring systems that fail to warn drivers, raising the risk of a crash, NHTSA said in a report.



The affected vehicles were shipped from assembly plants with working monitoring systems, but when accessory wheels were installed, the systems were not recalibrated and now lights to warn drivers of low tire pressure may fail, the report said.



Affected vehicles will be repaired at Toyota dealerships for free, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., the automaker's U.S. sales branch, told NHTSA.



Honda, meanwhile, has called back 36,656 Civic hybrids from the 2006 and 2007 model years after complaints that a faulty voltage converter could interrupt electrical signals to the headlights and engine. The problem could cause the vehicles to stall and fail to restart, a report filed with NHTSA said.



Owners of affected vehicles can have the voltage converter replaced for free at dealerships. The recall notice is expected to go out on March 18.



Finally, Chrysler is recalling 20,459 Jeep Wranglers built in 2010 and 2011. Certain Wranglers manufactured from July 12, 2010, through Sept. 10, 2010, may experience loosened fasteners on the front and rear axle attachments to the chassis, a report filed with NHTSA said. This could result in excessive noise and ultimately impaired steering and handling, increasing the risk of a crash, the agency said.



Dealers will retorque all 19 fasteners for free. The recall is expected to begin in March.