New Toyota Hilux and Toyota Fortuner launched in Malaysia - Some thoughts

And meanwhile, Toyota have launched the all-new Toyota Hilux pickup and the Hilux based Fortuner SUV here in Malaysia. The Fortuner is based on the Hilux and both benefit from a more rigid chassis and a more rigid chassis to body mounting setup. More rigidity means a lot of things but what you do get is less NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) inside, better road manners. More refinement overall. More looks too, especially the Fortuner. Very modern and a lot of Lexus styling cues making this no longer looking like a budget looking SUV. 

UMW Toyota Motor issues a recall for 82,457 units of Toyota Fortuner, Innova and Hilux

UMW Toyota Motor is conducting a recall (using the super politically correct term 'special service campaign'  ) for 82,457 units of Toyota models consisting of the Toyota Hilux, Toyota Innova and Toyota Fortuner manufactured from year 2005 – 2010 and sold in Malaysia.

This campaign is conducted to replace a spiral cable on affected Hilux, Innova and Fortuner. The driver’s airbag module in the involved vehicles is attached to a spiral cable assembly with electrical connections that could be damaged when the steering wheel is turned. If this occurs, the air bag warning lamp will illuminate and the driver’s air bag could be deactivated, and most probably may not deploy in the event of a crash.

UMW Toyota Motor will contact all Hilux, Innova and Fortuner customers involved to carry out the necessary corrective measures at no cost. The company also states that no other models it sold are affected by this campaign.

For details, call 1-800-8-TOYOTA (1-800-8-869682).

This is in conjunction with the recent announcement made by Toyota Motor Corp (Global) that a special service campaign concerning possible damage of spiral cable in the Hilux, Innova and Fortuner. 

This reminds me of a Dilbert cartoon I read recently - 'Item overheats' so market it as 'Red Hot Specification!!!!' Of course, folks, if you do own one of these, and is not a car thief with the intention of car-jacking one for sale in Laos, Vietnam or Myanmar, do head over to the local Toyota service center. If you are a car thief, hope you get into a car crash and the airbag doesn't work.