Toyota 86 recall: 15,000 Aussie 86s heading back to dealers

Just days ago it was revealed cars topped the list of recalls in the 2015-16 financial year – 182 out of 670 total recalls, and today that list continues into the new financial year with Toyota announcing a recall of the popular 86 sports car. Additionally over 3,000 Subaru BRZs are also affected by the issue.

Citing a “potential loss of power steering assist” almost 15,000 Toyota 86 vehicles built between April 2012 and March 2015 are being recalled to allow the dealers to fix the issue.

The vehicles affected are right-hand drive and have a driver’s knee airbag.

The recall states “Due to an improper wire harness layout, there is a possibility that the electric power steering harness may interfere with the instrumental panel lower cover which contains the driver’s knee airbag on Australian specification vehicles. “

“If this happens, there could be an electrical contact failure which may result in the loss of power steering assist. A warning light would then illuminate on the dashboard along with a short audible warning whilst manual steering would be maintained.”

“To rectify this condition, the power steering electronic control unit and wire harness will be replaced in all impacted vehicles.”

Parts will arrive in dealers next month to begin the repairs which of course will be carried out free of charge.  Toyota reports 62 incidences of this condition with no accidents or injuries in any case.

For further information, customers can visit www.toyota.com.au/news for a list of Q&As or contact the Toyota recall campaign helpline on 1800 987 366.

EFTM contacted Suburu to confirm that the sibling vehicle the BRZ is also affected by a similar condition and recall.

The number of BRZs subjected to recall in each model year is:

Model Year (MY) Number of vehicles

2013 – 1194
2014 – 929

2015 – 893

Customers can also contact the Subaru Customer Service Centre on 1300 550 994.
Below are the FAQs published by Toyota in relation to the 86 recall:

Toyota 86 Electric Power Steering (EPS) Assistance Q&A

Q1: What is the condition?
A1: The subject vehicles are equipped with electric power steering (EPS).

During normal driving operation, the EPS rotation angle sensor terminals may wear over time. This wear of the connector terminal plating accumulates debris which may oxidise and become non-conductive.

Under this condition if the driver’s knee contacts the knee airbag lower cover, the EPS wire harness routed behind the cover also moves significantly which allows the terminal to contact the debris resulting in electrical contact failure.

In this condition, the EPS ECU turns on the warning light and the steering assist is interrupted whilst manual steering is maintained.

The loss of power steering assist will increase the steering effort at low speeds which may increase the risk of an accident.

Q2: What is the function of the Electronic Power Steering?
A2: The electric power steering system generates torque to assist steering effort through operation of the motor and reduction gear installed on the steering column shaft.

The power steering electronic control unit (ECU) determines direction and the amount of assistance required in accordance with vehicle speed and signals from sensors built into the steering column assembly.

Q3: Which and how many vehicles are involved?
A3: There are 14,906 Toyota 86 vehicles involved in the Australian market.

Please refer to below VIN table for production period details.

Note: Although the involved vehicles are within the above VIN ranges, not all vehicles in these VIN ranges were sold in the Australian market.

Q4: Are there any warnings that this condition has occurred?
A4: There is no advance warnings prior to the occurrence of this condition. However, if the condition has occurred the vehicle illuminates the EPS warning light in the instrument cluster (see below image) along with a short audible warning.

Q5: What should a vehicle owner do if this condition occurs?
A5: If the driver notices heavy steering or illumination of the EPS warning light in the instrument cluster, they should stop driving their vehicle and contact their nearest Toyota dealer for diagnosis and repair.
If the condition is related to this campaign, the appropriate repair will be performed free of charge to the vehicle owner.

Q6: What is Toyota going to do?
A6: Toyota is currently preparing the necessary parts to remedy this condition. Once preparations are complete, Toyota will notify owners by mail at their last known address to make an appointment at any Toyota dealer to rectify their vehicle.

Toyota dealers will perform required rectification FREE OF CHARGE to the vehicle owner.

Q7: What does the remedy involve?
A7: For all involved vehicles, Toyota dealers will replace the power steering ECU and EPS wire harness.

Q8: How long will the repair take?
A8: This repair will take just over one hour. Depending upon the dealer’s work schedule, it may be necessary to make your vehicle available for a longer period of time.

Q9: Can vehicle owners continue to drive their vehicle?
A9: Yes, this condition only impacts the power steering assistance; manual steering control is maintained.

Q10: What should an owner do?
A10: Owners should contact their preferred Toyota dealer to arrange vehicle rectification at their earliest convenience.

Q11: Does this condition affect other Toyota/Lexus models?
A11: This problem occurs only on 86 right hand models equipped with knee airbag.

Q12: Have there been any reports of accidents or injuries?
A12: There have been no reports received of accidents or injuries relating to this condition.

Q13: Are there any other Toyota vehicles involved in this campaign in the Australian market?
A13: No other Toyota models above are involved in this campaign.

Q14: What should I do know?
A14: To ensure that we can contact you, your contact details can be updated by calling the Toyota recall campaign helpline on 1800 987 366. Please quote your 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), we will then be able to contact you as soon as parts are available.

Q15: Where can I find my VIN?
A15: The VIN number is located under the right hand front seat, on the manufacturer’s label and on the top left of the body panel, as shown below.