Toyota has announced a safety recall on certain 2007 model year Tundra four-wheel-drive pickup trucks. The recall will effect approximately 15,600 units.

The Details: From Toyota’s press release “On certain 2007 model year Tundra vehicles, there is a possibility that a joint in the rear propeller shaft may have been improperly heat treated, resulting in insufficient hardness. In the worst case, a section of the rear propeller shaft may separate at the joint. There has been one case reported among all affected vehicles that may relate to this condition. The one case involved abnormal noise and did not involve an accident.”

Symptoms: According to the press release, an “abnormal noise” led to Toyota finding the problem. While there are literally hundreds of things that can cause an “abnormal noise”, you might want to contact your local Toyota dealer if your 4WD Tundra is exhibiting signs of rear-end noise that varies with RPM.

Am I Effected? If your trucks is part of the recall, you will be notified via first class mail beginning in late-December 2007. If you receive a recall notice you should contact your local Toyota dealer to schedule an inspection. If the inspection indicates the shaft wasn’t properly heat treated, the shaft will be replaced. This recall does NOT effect all 4×4 Tundras as some media outlets have insinuated.

Contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 if you have questions, but you will be notified if your vehicle is suspected to have the defect. Again, this does not effect all 4wd Tundras.

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