U.S. transport safety authorities launched a probe Monday into recalls issued by Toyota Motor Corp. over steering wheel defects in 2005, suspecting the automaker might have failed to promptly report the case to the authorities.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it opened an investigation into whether Toyota notified the agency of a defect in steering relay rods in several models, including the 4Runner sport utility vehicle, within five business days of learning of the problem.
According to the NHTSA, Toyota conducted a recall in Japan in 2004 for Hilux pickup trucks due to weakness in the steering relay rods that could cause a loss of control.