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August 26, 2010 - Toyota announced it is recalling 1.33 million 2005 to 2008 Toyota Corolla sedans and Toyota Matrix hatchbacks in the U.S. and Canada for a possible engine control unit (ECU) defect.
The problem, which only affects models with the 1ZZ-FE engine, may prevent the engine from starting or cause the engine to stall while driving. Toyota says the engine control module contains a circuit board which may crack and cause the unit to malfunction.
The same engine computer, which was supplied by DELCO (Delphi Corp.), is also used in the Pontiac Vibe. Both Toyota models and the Vibe were assembled in a joint-venture factory in Fremont, CA, which has since closed.
GM said it will also recall 200,000 2005 to 2008 Pontiac Vibes for the same defective engine control module issue.
The fix? Toyota and GM said they will replace the defective engine control modules at no cost to the vehicle owner. The engine control module is located inside the vehicle, under the dash behind the glovebox. The replacement procedure takes about half an hour, and another half an hour to reprogram and register the vehicle VIN with a Toyota or Vetronix scan tool.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said they have been investigating the no-start and stalling problem in the Corolla and Matrix models since last year, but did not order the recall. Toyota and GM did the recall on their own.
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