Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 8,000 Tacoma Trucks Over Potential Defect in Front Drive Shaft

Appearing to have learned its lesson from its accelerator pedal / floor mat woes, Toyota is now issuing voluntary recalls right and left before problems escalate to a point of crisis.

In this latest episode, the Japanese automaker announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall to inspect the front drive shaft on a small production run of certain 2010 model year Tacoma 4WD trucks.

According to Toyota, the front shaft in these vehicles may include a defective component that contains cracks that developed during the manufacturing process. As the truck get used, the cracks may lead to the separation of the drive shaft at the joint portion.

Toyota said that the recall affects approximately 8,000 Tacoma 4WD trucks in the U.S. adding that no other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved.

The company's dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and if necessary, replace the front drive shaft.

Toyota said that it will notify owners by first class mail starting in mid-March, 2010.