Toyota pulling used Avalons off the road

Toyota has announced that it will recall 373,000 used Toyota Avalons off the road, citing a problem with the steering system.

The Japanese automaker says that a component in Avalons sold from 2000-2004 can crack when the vehicle is turned hard to the right. This piece can then become lodged and cause the wheel to lock up, increasing the risk of a crash, according to the Los Angeles Times. The problem has resulted in six incidents that have caused three crashes in the U.S., none of which injured drivers or passengers.

The company will also recall its 2003-2007 Lexus LX 470 SUVs for a steering problem unrelated to that of the Avalons. These recalls bring the total number of vehicles recalled by the company in the last year to 9 million. After the major debacle with unintended acceleration, some automotive analysts believe the Japanese automaker is playing it safe.

“If one of their vehicles so much as hiccups or coughs, they now do a big recall,” Rebecca Lindland of IHS Automotive told the news source, “and it is very expensive.”

Those who own used Toyota Avalons will be able to take the car to the dealer to get a fix, which the company estimates will take about two hours.