Southeast Toyota FR-S recall for inaccurate load carrying capacity labeling

[Dadhawk]

Looks like Southeast Toyota has had to recall several models, including the FR-S, for a label that is outside the allowed margin of error for load capacity.

SUMMARY:Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

It does also say that " A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. "

Full details here.

I pointed out the "supplementary" label on mine in my owner's journal not to long after getting the FR-S. I wonder if they just missed labeling some vehicles, or if I will now get a supplementary supplementary sticker.

[Ozzman]

So how does one determine the appropriate load carrying capacity of a vehicle?

[Clembo]

Tire and loading placard on the driver's door jamb minus any weight from the supplemental 'reduced' sticker. The reduced sticker covers the weight of any dealer accessories on the car. Example - the trunk mat reduces the capacity by 4 pounds.

[maj75]

This has to be the most rediculous recall ever.

You need a supplementary sticker to tell you your load has been reduced by 5 pounds? My god, have lawyers completely taken over?

Like ladder warning labels that say warning, if you climb to the top of this ladder you might fall off...

[Ozzman]

Originally Posted by Clembo

Tire and loading placard on the driver's door jamb minus any weight from the supplemental 'reduced' sticker. The reduced sticker covers the weight of any dealer accessories on the car. Example - the trunk mat reduces the capacity by 4 pounds.

That's not what I'm asking. How does the Manufacturer determine how much load a vehicle can handle?

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Ozzman

So how does one determine the appropriate load carrying capacity of a vehicle?

I don't know the exact calculations used, but the manufacturer does it based on the various weight bearing capacities of the supporting structure of the car (wheels/tires/axles/suspension/etc) and most likely combined with the stopping power of the car within safe minimum distances.

In the end, how much weight can all this support and remain within certain safety parameters. At some point if you exceed it enough the car bottoms out, and you start breaking things.

5 lbs probably doesn't make that much of a difference in a car, but at some point it will be the 5 lbs you dont' know about that breaks the car, at least in theory.

It is more than a CYA thing, although I'm sure that is what it is for in small car. This is more important on things like airplanes where the "useful load' is reduced by every lb of accessories or fuel you add. Go slightly above the useful load and the plane quickly becomes unsafe but will fly, the most dangerous situation particularly if the balance is off. Get much above it, and the plane won't fly at all (not enough lift). In heavy haul trucks it would be very easy to overload the truck and create an unsafe situation.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by maj75

This has to be the most rediculous recall ever.

This isn't new, they've been doing these kind of recalls for decades, amending the users manual, adding stickers to the jack, adjusting the carpets in the Toyotas with "unanticipated acceleration" etc.

https://www.google.com/search?q=door...sticker+recall