Toyota, Japanese Automaker | featured news

Among the Toyota recalls are 373,000 2000-4 Avalon models for a steering problem that could cause a crash, and 39,000 2003-7 Lexus LX 470 S.U.V.'s for a steering defect.

Toyota started recalling more than 90,000 luxury Lexus and Crown vehicles Monday in Japan over defective engines - the latest setback for the automaker beset with quality problems.

Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday about 270,000 cars sold worldwide - including luxury Lexus sedans - have potentially faulty engines, the latest quality lapse to hit the automaker following massive global recalls of top-selling models.

Toyota Motor Corp. recalled about 50,000 Sequoia sport utility vehicles from the 2003 model year to fix an unexpected slowing of the vehicle in the latest recall issued by the Japanese automaker.

The Transportation Department says it's seeking the maximum penalty, more than $16 million, against Toyota for failing to promptly notify the government about defective gas pedals among its vehicles.