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Defective Bumper Stickers Force Toyota Recall
Posted on February 10th, 2010 No commentsToyota Corp USA was forced to issue its second recall in as many months today, this one involving its popular Prius hybrid. The U.S. Government determined that the Obama ‘08 campaign sticker, attached to the rear bumper of all modes sold in 2008, was produced with defective glue, causing the decals to “detach with impunity”. The recall also includes models issued with Hope and Change emblems.
An Obama bumper sticker in better days
Attorneys for Toyota fought bitterly to stop the recall, claiming that the bumper stickers were susceptible for detachment only at speeds above 40 M.P.H., a velocity most Prius models cannot reach.
But the government wasn’t buying and directed the Japanese automaker to install new decals using adhesive made from Crazy Glue on “all Prius models sold in the U.S before November 4, 2008.” The replacement stickers must be in place by November 6, 2012.
According to Rasmussen Reports, 65% of all Obama decals remained affixed to Prius models on Inauguration Day 2008. By March 18 that number had fallen to 55%, then shockingly, at the beginning of July, to less than half. Currently, only 43% of Obama stickers remained joined to Prius bumpers. Analysts called it the most dramatic drop in a bumper sticker line ever seen.
Most major media outlets jumped to Toyota’s defense, pointing out that Bush 2000 and Bush 2004 stickers were manufactured with glue made from Texas petroleum, which did not lose adhesiveness until John McCain secured the Republican nomination last year.
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