Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalls over 1.8 million vehicles because Fuel Pump May Fail

Washington, D.C. – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13th, 2020.

On March 19th, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

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New Vehicle Infotainment Systems Create Increased Distractions Behind the Wheel

Washington, D.C. – New vehicle infotainment systems take drivers’ eyes and attention off the road and hands off the wheel for potentially dangerous periods of time, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Drivers using in-vehicle technologies like voice-based and touch screen features were visually and mentally distracted for more than 40 seconds when completing tasks like programming navigation or sending a text message.

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Consumer Reports selects Kia Sorento and Lexus RX as Best SUVs in 2016 Top Picks

Yonkers, NY – Seven new vehicles made Consumer Reports’ 2016 Annual Top Picks list—the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Kia Sorento, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Camry, Lexus RX, Honda Fit, and Ford F-150 — in each of their respective categories.

The redesigned Ford F-150 was named best Pickup Truck, thanks in part to its fuel economy, quiet and spacious cabin, and much-improved infotainment system. It’s Ford’s first win in the category since 1999 and its first overall Top Pick honor since 2012.

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Consumer Reports digs into Car Insurance Quote Secrecy, Prices Are Rife With Inequities and Unfair Practices

Poor Credit May Raise Premiums Higher Than a Drunk Driving Conviction

Yonkers, NY – The amounts drivers pay for their car insurance premiums are based on confounding algorithms that increasingly have more to do with socioeconomic factors than driving habits, according to extensive research conducted by Consumer Reports.

The organization, w­hich believes that knowledge about the going rate of any product or service is a fundamental consumer right, has released the findings of a two-year, in-depth car insurance investigation. The report analyzed more than 2 billion price quotes for sample drivers that were obtained in August and November 2014 from more than 700 companies across all 33,419 general U.S. ZIP codes. [Read more]

Consumer Reports Names Toyota Camry Hybrid Best New-Car Value in Annual Rankings

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Fiat 500L, Mercedes-Benz S500 ranked lowest

Yonkers, NY – The Toyota Camry Hybrid is the best overall value for the automotive dollar according to Consumer Reports’ 2014 Annual New-Car Value Rankings.

Consumer Reports calculated that the Camry Hybrid earned the highest value score of 2.01, which indicates consumer dollars go about twice as far with this car than they do with the average-value car.

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Consumer Reports lists Best Used Cars and Ones to Avoid

Used Car Standouts from the 2004 through 2013 Model Years

Yonkers, NY – With prices at historic highs – even for models with high mileage and seemingly excessive wear – and with so many vehicles from which to choose, shopping for a used car can be a challenge. To help Americans choose the best used car for their money, Consumer Reports compiled a Best & Worst Used Cars list for model years 2004 through 2013.

The full report is available in Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Issue, which is on newsstands now, and at the 2014 Autos Spotlight page on ConsumerReports.org. [Read more]