1978 TOYOTA HI LUX Recalls, Complaints & Safety

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

INADEQUATE WELDS ON THE BED SIDE PANEL OF THE LONG BEDS, MAY ALLOW DISCONNECTION OF THE FUEL FILLER PIPE FROM THE FUEL TANK IN THE EVENT OF A REAR COLLISION. SUCH A DISCONNECTION COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE TO OCCUR. THIS CONSTITUTES A NON-COMPLIANCE TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY".

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A SPECIAL BRACKET, FROM THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL HOUSING TO THE FUEL INLET PIPE, TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE SAFETY STANDARD.

5,317 vehicles affected

I LEARNED BY COINCIDENCE FROM A FELLOW TOYOTA BASED MOTORHOME THAT HE HAD THE REAREND REPLACED WITH A HEAVIER DUTY ONE THROUGH A PROGRAM OFFERED BY TOYOTA AND THE MOTORHOME MANUFACTURERS. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED ROTTER TOYOTA IN TUMWATER, WA, I WAS INFORMED THE PROGRAM HAD EXPIRED AND WAS OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE SOME PARTS THAT WERE REMOVED FROM SOME OF THE REPLACEMENTS. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF THIS 'RECALL' OR I CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF IT, BECAUSE I HAVE HAD SEVERAL REAR BEARING FAILURES PRIOR TO THE RECENT FRIGHTENING EVENT OF HAVING THE REAR WHEEL COME OFF. I AM CERTAINLY THANKFUL I WAS TRAVELLING AT LOW SPEED WHEN IT OCCURRED. I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE UNSAFE TO SIMPLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE TO ITS ORIGINAL AND TOYOTA SHOULD EXTEND THEIR 'RECALL' AND REPLACE THE REAREND AND WHEELS WITH UNITS APPROPRIATE FOR THE LOAD OF THE MOTORHOME. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION. BILL MEEKER.