The recall covers Sienna two-wheel drive minivans sold or registered in the US in cold climate states, namely the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
Toyota Canada has announced a voluntary recall campaign affecting approximately 270,000 first and second generation 2WD Toyota Sienna vehicles where the frequent use of road salts may result in excessive corrosion of the spare tire carrier assembly. With continued and prolonged exposure, there is the potential for the carrier cable to fail and the spare tire could become separated from the vehicle causing a crash or become a hazard for following vehicles.
The beleaguered Japanese vehicle manufacturer is working on a fix, and in the meantime will notify customers in writing, telling them to bring their vehicle to a dealership for an inspection.
Toyota 2011 Sienna is not affected by this safety recall.