Toyota to Recall 3.4 Million Vehicles Worldwide, Air Bags May Not Deploy in Crashes

Republicans, Democrats Grapple Over Rules as Senate Impeachment Trial Starts

Republican and Democratic leaders in the Senate wrangled over proposed rules as the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump began on Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), in an opening speech on the floor, sought to defend the Constitutional integrity of the Senate as envisioned by the Founding Fathers and called on senators to put the “historical precedent ahead of the partisan passion of the day.” He also remarked that his proposed rules are fair. The “straightforward resolution” he proposed will ensure that it is fair to all parties involved, including House Democrats and Trump’s legal team, McConnell said. If the Senate agrees to conduct an investigation and trial during the impeachment process, it would “upset the balance” of power between the House and the Senate, he continued, warning…

Toyota Motor Corp said on Tuesday it will recall 3.4 million vehicles worldwide because of an electronic defect that can result in air bags not deploying in crashes.

The recall, which includes 2.9 million U.S. vehicles, covers 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles and is tied to a report of one fatal crash.

The vehicles may have an electronic control unit that does not have adequate protection against electrical noise that can occur in crashes, which could lead to incomplete or non-deployment of the air bags. It could also impede the operation of seat-belt pretensioners.

In April, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) expanded a probe into 12.3 million potentially defective air bags covering a number of automakers, including the vehicles Toyota is recalling.

NHTSA said in April it had identified two frontal crash events, including one fatal crash “involving Toyota products where (electrical overstress) is suspected as the likely cause” of air bags not deploying. Both involved newer Corolla cars.

NHTSA said the air bags under investigation were installed in more than 12 million vehicles from 2010 through 2019 sold by Toyota, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, Honda Motor Co, Hyundai Motor Co, Kia Motors Corp and Mitsubishi.

They were equipped with an air bag control unit initially produced by TRW Automotive Holdings Corp, which is now owned by ZF Friedrichshafen.

In total, NHTSA said as many as eight deaths could be tied to the issue.

Hyundai, Kia and Fiat Chrysler previously issued recalls for more than 2.5 million vehicles with the TRW air bag control units in question that might not deploy in crashes.

When it recalled nearly 2 million vehicles for air bag non-deployments in 2016, Fiat Chrysler said it had reports of three deaths and five injuries that might be related to the defect.

Hyundai and Kia ultimately recalled more than 1 million vehicles for air bag non-deployment concerns in 2018. Hyundai and Kia in 2018 said they had reports of four deaths and six injuries in North America tied to the issue.

Toyota dealers will install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness if needed.

Toyota declined to say how many deaths or injuries have been tied to the defect. Toyota will notify vehicle owners of the recall by mid-March.

By David Shepardson

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Supreme Court Denies House, Blue States’ Effort to Fast-Track Obamacare Appeals

The Supreme Court has rejected requests by the House of Representatives and Democratic-led states to expedite a review of a lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, meaning the future of the health care law is unlikely to be decided until after the 2020 presidential election. Lawmakers and state officials from a coalition of blue states asked the high court in a pair of appeals earlier this month to take up the case and review the lower court’s decision on an expedited schedule. They argued that the court’s expeditious consideration is necessary because of the uncertainty the lower court’s decision has on health insurance and the health care marketplace, as well as for millions of Americans who have purchased coverage under Obamacare (pdf). In December, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled…