U.S. regulators have decided to launch a formal investigation of the Toyota Corolla, model year 2009-2010. According to The Washington Post, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received more than 150 complaints about the power steering on the Corolla.

The Corolla is just the latest Toyota vehicle to cause safety concerns. The automaker has already recalled nearly 8 million vehicles worldwide since September 2009 for issues involving unintended acceleration and faulty brakes. The recalls have seriously injured Toyota’s long-standing reputation for quality and reliability. More Toyota Corolla Steering Complaints Prompt NHTSA Investigation

The Toyota Corolla subcompact has been the subject of dozens of reports involving power steering problems. According to the Associated Press, Toyota has said it will “consider” a recall if the Corolla’s reported power steering issues involve the safety of the driver.

The Corolla is Toyota’s best-selling car, with around 1.3 million models sold around the world last year. At a news conference this morning, Shinichi Sasaki, who oversees quality at Toyota Motor Corp., said drivers have reported feeling as though they were losing control over the steering. According to Sasaki, the complaints involving the Corolla amount to fewer than 100. More Could the Corolla Be Toyota’s Next Recall?

Toyota is facing tough questions from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to various media reports, the agency has opened new investigations into Toyota’s recent recalls, and is demanding that the automaker turn over an extensive list of documents.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled millions of cars for problems involving sudden acceleration and faulty brakes. It all started in September, when Toyota announced it was recalling and replacing floor mats on approximately 4.2 million vehicles which were allegedly causing accelerator pedals in the vehicles to become stuck in the depressed position, leading to uncontrollable and rapid acceleration of the vehicle. On January 21, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles due to accelerator pedals on those vehicles becoming stuck in a depressed position, causing unexpected and unsafe acceleration. More New Toyota Investigations Signal More Aggressive Approach from NHTSA

The Associated Press is reporting that United States senior Senator Chris Dodd is scheduled to tour the Kleen Energy Systems plant, site of the massive explosion that injured 12 and killed five last weekend. Senator Dodd is scheduled to meet with Mayor Sebastian Giuliano, of Middletown, and will also be speaking to local officials there for a briefing; the tour will be conducted after, with a reporter meeting following, said the AP.

According to Dodd’s office, the senator is collaborating with local and federal officials to help ensure the investigation is complete and effective, noted the AP. More Senator Dodd to Tour Remains of Kleen Energy Plant

Toyota vehicles have been associated with more sudden acceleration accident and death complaints in the past several weeks. According to the Associated Press, complaints involving the popular Prius Hybrid have also surged in the past week.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled millions of cars for problems involving sudden acceleration and faulty brakes. It all started in September, when Toyota announced it was recalling and replacing floor mats on approximately 4.2 million vehicles which were allegedly causing accelerator pedals in the vehicles to become stuck in the depressed position, leading to uncontrollable and rapid acceleration of the vehicle. On January 21, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles due to accelerator pedals on those vehicles becoming stuck in a depressed position, causing unexpected and unsafe acceleration. More Toyota Complaints to NHTSA Have Spiked Since Recalls

A burning operation is taking place the Kleen Energy Plant in Connecticut, site of the massive blast that that injured 12 and killed five, said NB Connecticut. About 40 propane cylinders at the site are being burned because of the dangers involved with moving them. According to fire officials, the operation will continue through Monday, said NB Connecticut.

The cylinders involved were severely damaged in the explosion rendering them unsafe to transport. Flaring, the procedure involved, was scheduled to begin at 8:00 am, said officials, reported NB Connecticut. There is no danger to the public, said crews, and the process will send up smoke from the site, explained NB Connecticut. More Kleen Energy Blast Probe, Cleanup Continues

Toyota issued another recall over the weekend, this time for about 8,000 2010 Tacoma trucks. Meanwhile, the automaker has announced that it will take another look at the electronic throttle control systems to see if they might be behind any of the unintended acceleration problems that have sparked the recall of millions of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the past several months.

The Tacoma recall was issued so Toyota can fix a problem with the front drive shaft that could cause the vehicle to lose control. According to the Associated Press, a crack could develop that could lead to the front driveshaft separating and falling from the truck. The recall involves 4-wheel drive Tacomas that were built from mid-December 2009 to early February 2010. More Toyota Issues Tacoma Recall, Plans Review of Electronic Throttle Control Systems

Toyota has been under fire recently for what some have termed a slow response to safety problems that have resulted in the recall of millions of vehicles around the world. As the recalls have mounted, some have also begun to question what role regulators have played in the Toyota debacle. Most of those questions involve the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and its relationship to the automaker.

As of January 2010, Toyota has recalled more than 5 million vehicles in the U.S. for problems with sudden acceleration. Crashes involving Toyota or Lexus vehicles and sudden acceleration have allegedly resulted in 19 deaths between 2004 and 2009. More Toyota Debacle Puts NHTSA In Spotlight

Following the huge explosion at Connecticut’s Kleen Energy power plant that injured 12 and killed five, the brother of one of the workers killed told the Associated Press (AP) that his brother described the project as “screwed up.” Another worker, said the AP, who was working the day prior to the explosion, said job safety was “substandard.”

The blast destroyed walls at the Kleen Energy Systems power plant in Middletown, about 20 miles south of Hartford, Connecticut, the AP explained previously. The town is home to about 45,000 people and the blast is considered the worst in its history, said the New York Times last week. More Connecticut Explosion Victim was Concerned About Safety at Kleen Energy Plant

The president of Toyota Motor Corp. said he will be visiting the U.S. sometime next month. While some in the Congress would like to hear from him about Toyota’s recent safety troubles, the company would not say if Akio Toyoda would attend any congressional hearings during his visit.

As anyone who follows this blog knows, its been a rough few months for Toyota. The car maker has recalled millions cars – including its popular Prius Hybrid – for problems involving sudden acceleration and faulty brakes. More Toyota Head Plans U.S. Visit Amid Safety Scandals