Toyota recalls Highlander SUV, Lexus models
Front console piece could come loose and interfere with gas pedal

Updated: 7:25 p.m. ET July 12, 2006

WASHINGTON - Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling 367,500 Toyota and Lexus sport utility vehicles in the United States because a piece in the front console area could come loose and interfere with the gas pedal.

In a separate announcement Wednesday, Nissan North America Inc. said it would recall nearly 201,000 Altima and Sentra sedans from the 2003 model year to fix a faulty sensor that can cause the engine to shut down.

Toyota’s recall involves 2004-05 models of the Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX 330 and early 2006 models of the Highlander hybrid SUV and the RX 400h, the hybrid version of the RX 330, said Toyota spokesman Bill Kwong.

A clip could come loose and allow a small trim piece of the console, located on the center-left side of the front compartment, to interfere with the accelerator.

The company has received seven complaints and two reports of accidents, Kwong said. No injuries have been reported, he said.

Owners were expected to be notified of the recall in late July, and dealers will install new clips on the console.

The recall affects 232,000 gasoline-powered Highlanders and 3,700 hybrid versions of the SUV. Among the Lexus models, 123,500 RX 330 SUVs fall under the recall, along with 8,300 RX 400h hybrid models.

A Toyota spokeswoman in Germany told Dow Jones Newswires that an additional 20,200 RX models in Europe would be recalled.

The Nissan recall involves vehicles with 2.5 liter engines. The automaker said changes in temperature can interrupt the signal from a sensor in the engine compartment, leading to an engine stall in low speeds and in stop-and-go traffic.

The automaker said the recall involved 186,279 Altimas and 14,587 Sentras.

Nissan spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan said there has been one crash reported and no injuries linked to the defect.

Owners were expected to be notified starting Aug. 21 and dealers will reprogram the vehicle’s computer system at no cost. Owners may contact the company at (800) 647-7261.

Last month, Nissan recalled nearly 100,000 Altima and Sentra sedans from the 2006 model year because of excessive oil consumption and reports of two dozen engine fires. The concerns led the automaker to temporarily stop selling the vehicles.

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