Just over a week ago we announced that GMC had to recall several of their vans due to a not so serious issue, and it seems that we won’t forget Jan 2013 in a hurry because there is yet another recall – well a double one really. Both Lexus and Toyota has issued a voluntary recall for the IS, Corolla and Matrix models.

270,000 Lexus IS sedans from 2006 to 2012 are affected by this recall, while 752,000 Toyota Corolla and Matrix models from 2003 to 2004 are affected, which is over 1 million units in total with the Toyota’s suffering from an airbag issue and the Lexus because of windshield wiper problems.

Autoblog state that the airbag issue has nothing to do with the small recall issued last week, as this is to do with a faulty control module, which in some cases could cause a short circuit. If left then the airbag could deploy unnecessarily and as a result the seat belt pretensioners could also activate as a result. As for the Lexus issue this has been caused by the wiper arm not being correctly tightened, so while not as serious this could result in the wipers not working correctly.

If you visit Toyota HERE you can look up your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or call them on 1-800-331-4331. Lexus doesn’t offer such a system to see if your car is affected by this latest round of recalls, but you can call them on 1 800-255-3987.

Back in October 2010 we first learned that Google was working on a self-driving car and the vehicle of choice was a Toyota Prius. Well it looks as though the idea could finally be catching on as Lexus and Audi are following Google with their own self-driving cars, which were on show during CES.

You might wonder why this technology is not being shown during one of the large Auto Shows, but the kind of technology being used in these vehicles is ideal for the Consumer Electronics Show. Toyota is calling their project the Advanced Active Safety Research Vehicle (AASRV) and while they are looking to perfect the car, what they are most interested in is what they can learn from the vehicle.

It has been reported that the car is to have the Lexus brand and will be packed with all the latest technology to make the car self-driving, and the main part of this tech is LIDAR, which are a set of lasers that keep an eye on everything that is going on around the vehicle. There’s also radar all-round, HD cameras and also GPS to keep a constant check on the vehicles position. However, don’t hold your breath just yet because we are a long way from seeing cars driving themselves.

Audi concur with this and suggest that their own version of the self-driving car is at least a decade from going into production. The German car manufacturer was also at CES showing off what they have planned, and while we would assume that Audi would have the better car in terms of build quality, we would have assumed that the electronics in the Lexus would have the edge.

Having said that, Audi has taken what Google and Toyota have done and made a more compact version so was able to fit behind the grille of a stock Audi A7 instead of having the equipment on the roof like on the other vehicles. We’re told that the demonstration from them during CES was rather impressive because they called the car from where it was parked via an app, the car then drove itself from where it was parked and proceeded to the front of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas.

We do love the idea of cars driving themselves because if we all had vehicles like this then this would certainly reduce the risk of accidents and traffic jams, although this is still a long way off – we can’t even see it being widespread in a decade either.

From the 82.200 2006 and 2007 models there are 45,500 Highlander SUVs and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles affected. The recall only affects these models in the US only. The recall has not begun yet, but there is notice that one is imminent. The reason for the delay is due to the fact that Toyota does not have enough spare parts to resolve the issue.

The main reason for this is due to the fact that these parts companies are still trying to get back to normal following the natural disaster that hit Japan earlier this year. According to WSJ the issue lies in the Intelligent Power Module, this is the main system that controls both the electric power and the standard gasoline engine.

There is said to be a manufacturing fault, as some of the circuits were not soldered correctly. If the solder fails and becomes hot then the car could go into safe mode – something that we do not envy if traveling in the fast lane on the highway. However, in a worse case scenario a fuse could blow, which means that the SUV would stop suddenly.

Like some of the most recent car recalls, such as the Porsche 911 one or the Mazda 3 and MazdaSpeed 3 this one will see a recall begin in July – it seems as though this will be the magic month. Well we say begin, this will be when owners start to receive their notices about their appointments for this issue to be resolved.

When you consider how complex the hybrid drive-train system is, it is a wonder why there has not been a recall to affect this before. Seems funny how most of the recalls that affect cars are due to things that have been around for a long time.

This recall is bad timing, especially as Lexus has just topped a recent J.D. Power and Associates survey for safety. Granted it is not for the models affected by the recall above, but still a funny coincidence. Just when you think Toyota has overcome its issues with recalls, recession and the earthquake and tsunami then something else comes up. However, let’s face facts here, this is not going to be the last recall from the carmaker, or any other brand come to that.

Although you will have to payout for the initial setup, there is no monthly fee – so just one payment up front then. The 2011 Silverline DUO Integration Kit needs you to download the Livio app and then install it to your iOS device and then keep it in your vehicle all the time you are in it to enjoy the huge amount of radio stations at your disposal.

You need to make certain that you have iOS 4.2.2 or higher in order for Livio app Version 2.2. to work correctly. The good news is the app is free, the bad is that the Silverline DUO will cost you $189.99 – although you might be lucky to spot a deal here and there. The new device is compatible with certain Acura, BMW, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Mini, Nissan, Scion and Toyota vehicles.

What makes this device even better is how you will get information displayed where your CD text normally appears. What we like about this is how it will stop all those arguments in the car when you are trying to guess who is singing a certain song on the radio. This has happened many times to most of us, and what is even more annoying is the fact that the DJ does not even tell us. For more details on the new device and app visit DICE Electronics. Apple could offer a other solution when you are not in your car though, as we reported that the iPhone 5 could come with an FM radio built in – although do not expect many radio stations.

Can you justify spending around $190 for access to more then 45,000 radio stations?

The problem with the Prius was that it was a newly designed vehicle, and not one that we all knew and loved. However, that has all changed now that the likes of Ford, BMW, Audi, Lexus etc has got in on the act. Now in 2011 we will start to see a number of new models – with designs that we are more familiar with.

No more are Hybrids just plain boring cars with only fuel-economy in mind and nothing else, and the 2011 Lexus CT 200h is proof of that. This car has a sporty look and feel to it, and with four different driving modes it offers more than a standard wagon ever could.

Most carmakers know the importance of the Hybrid, which is why Porsche has the Cayenne S Hybrid option. Who would have thought that a brand with a racing pedigree like this would ever move into this market? Maybe Ferrari and Lamborghini will be next?

There is no denying how popular the Prius has been, so one would assume that this will also be the case with the 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid – although there has been other version of this and there are not many changes to this model.

Finally we have the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid and sits a little lower to the ground than the gas version; but do not let that put you off, as there are a number of features to this model that makes it a must-have for those wanting a more fuel-efficient vehicle but with a more aggressive stance. For a more complete list visit Motor Trend.

What Hybrid will you be choosing for 2011?

MSN Autos believes that mechanics love it when they see a car pull up outside and see smoke bellowing out or sounding a bit rough, but is something that happens less likely with certain cars. It is those makes that will not make them any profit, apart from the occasional oil change.

In the list we can see that there is one Toyota and two Honda’s, those models are the Yaris, CR-V and the Fit. I cannot speak for the fist two, but I have had the latter on hire for a few weeks and it seemed like a well-built vehicle and can understand why it would not need to spend much time with the hood up.

As for the Honda CR-V, this vehicle was recently voted one of the best five Japanese cars. Honda has still had a poor record with recalls over the past year or so, but we do not recall any CR-V’s being involved. The Globe and Mail has also been looking at the most reliable cars, and it was the Porsche Boxster that topped the chart – no doubt mechanics will hate that model too?

What car do you think has been the most reliable over the years?

That’s right, you do not need to go second-hand, as there are some great offers on luxury cars, so no need to compromise. According to a Forbes analysis, it seems that we should consider an SUV instead in 2011, two vehicles that they recommend are the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus 450h, which are both part of the same company.

Another car that made it high on the list of most affordable cars was the
2011 Chevrolet Volt. I have to say that Forbes is using the term luxury a bit loosely on this one. Yes it is a car that has some great technology inside and we are certain that it drives nice – but luxury, come on.

While at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, AOL Auto made a point that the Chrysler 300 sedan is a great alternative to the pricey luxury cars, as the price tag is much cheaper than the new Audi A6 and Mercedes C-Class.

If you had the choice of any luxury car in 2011, what would it be?

Wheels Unplugged believes that the new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the luxury market in the U.S., well it is hard to argue with a 41mpg city rating. What shocked us the most was the fact that this hybrid costs just the same as the standard gas version, $35,180.

Another Luxury Fuel-efficient car for 2011 worth considering has to be the Lexus GS Hybrid. We were a little disappointed with the 22 mpg in city rating, but when you consider what car you are driver – the sacrifice would be worth it. Given the choice of the two, I know what I would rather be driving.

Price is another factor that could put you off the GS Hybrid, eBest Cars explains that you will be paying almost $17,000 more, but you are getting much more car for your money. Deciding between the two will depend on a number of factors, but it all comes down to budget at the end of the day. Which of the two would you choose?

The recall, which Alan Ng discussed in a recent post is yet another issue with the brakes on a range of Toyota and Lexus vehicles – we have to wonder when the problems will stop for the Japanese car manufacturer?

Toyota has been trying hard to make the recall process of vehicles that much simpler, and this Vehicle Identification Number checker certainly helps. All you need to do is locate your VIN number – more details on where to find that here – and then enter the 17-digit ID number in the search box. (Check your VIN here)

Once you have done this then you just need to hit the submit button and the tool will determine if your vehicle is covered by this latest recall. Are you slowly losing confidence with Toyota?

This latest recall affects 39,000 2003 to 2007 Lexus LX 470 SUVs due to yet another steering issue. Unlike the one from earlier, this one involves the snap ring that helps to retain two parts of the steering column. If for some reason your front wheels suffer from a heavy impact, the steering column in some cases could become dislodged.

If for some reason that the snap ring becomes displaced, then the entire steering column could work lose. This is a serious issue, one that Toyota needs to address ASAP. Thankfully there has not been any reports of accidents due to this fault.

According to Sam Abuelsamid from Autoblog, Lexus will be sending out letters in the post for LX 470 owners, with instructions on what they need to do.