Consumer Reports, a magazine that influences many potential car buyers, is urging Toyota to recall certain older Camry models to repair problematic power brakes.
Citing potential issues in around 177,500 older hybrid sedans, Consumer Reports on Monday called Toyota's efforts to address the two models insufficient, Reuters reported.
The Japanese automaker so far has decided to issue a service campaign or a warranty extension affecting certain Camry vehicles from model years 2007-'11. A service campaign involves repairs to cars when they are brought into the dealership by owners.
"Consumer Reports believes that Toyota should recall these cars," said the magazine, as quoted by Reuters. "What's at issue here is a series of acknowledged defects in a crucial safety system.
"A recall is more comprehensive and widely published than a mere service campaign, and owners don't have to wait for a problem to happen before qualifying for the repair," Consumer Reports said. "Besides that, unlike extended warranties, recalls don't expire and are performed proactively."
According to the magazine, complaints from owners influenced Toyota's decision for a service campaign. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently launched a probe into select Toyota vehicles after consumers filed complaints detailing diminished braking performance, less responsive brake pedals and other problems.
"We believe our actions to address this issue are appropriate, and we are continuing to cooperate with NHTSA in its investigation," Toyota spokesman John Hanson told Reuters in an email statement.
The NHTSA's initial probe affects 30,000 Camry hybrid sedans from model years 2007 and 2008, Reuters reported. The agency is aware of 59 consumer complaints that cite assisted braking loss.
Consumer Reports said that its review of the two Camry model years cited in the NHTSA probe revealed that complaints about power brakes had increased to 269 along with reports of 14 crashes and five injuries.
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