It's a safety recall, so it shouldn't matter. Right?
It does matter for the recall letter. Toyota sends out a letter to the owner based on the VIN, and then you will take it to the dealer. Not all 05-08 ECUs are recalled, it is based on part number and model number. If the car is privately bought used, (not at a toyota dealer), I am not sure if the 2nd owner will get the letter in the mail, which prompts you to go to the dealer. An uninformed 2nd buyer would not know if the car has been recalled, unless they take it to the dealer. There is a finite life to the recall too, not sure what the time frame is, but it is best to ask the dealer if unsure. If you are the 2nd or 3rd owner, you can still get the recall, but you may not get the letter in the mail and continue to drive around with a potentially weak ECU.
If you buy the car go to this link: http://www.toyotaownersonline.com/sscinfo
Enter your vin and it will tell you any recalls and it will get your car linked up to you in their database. We bought an 06 for about the same miles a couple years ago for the same price. We were the third owners though so I was worried about getting the ECU. I got a "notification that I would be notified" when to come in a couple of weeks ago, so I know I'm in the database now.
Last edited by olbus; 11-02-2010 at 07:32 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to olbus For This Useful Post:
When you buy a used car, you can always register it with Toyota, so they know your name and address. My concern (about my own situation) that we moved twice since I bought the car, and I think I only updated the address when I heard about the recall. So depending how slow they are actually updating the databases, they might send the letter to the wrong address. I have never received that "we will notify" letter.
This may also apply to OP - even if he/she registers, the database may not be updated fast enough. Still, the dealer should do the work, letter or no letter.
If it's in very good/clean condition then go for it!!!!!
__________________ 2005 Corolla LE - Impulse Red - Auto Trans - 1ZZFE - 86,000mi 2003 Echo - Auto Trans - 96,000mi. - slow as dog-dirt - I'd rather put my money in the bank than in the tank!!!!!
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