Toyota Motor Corp. has recalled 1.3 million Corolla and Matrix cars in the United States and Canada. The recall was due to a defective engine control module that could cause the vehicle’s engine to stall. In addition to the Corolla and Matrix recalls, General Motors Co has also placed a recall on 200,000 models of the Pontiac Vibe because of the same concerns. The manufacturer of the defective part, Delphi, is a supplier of Toyota engine components.

The Vibe was produced at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc plant located in California. The Vibe was a creation of a joint endeavor between Toyota and General Motors. Although the Vibe bears the General Motors Pontiac name, Toyota is actually the builder on record.

Reportedly, Toyota had received three different accident reports linked to issues with the recalled vehicles. The accidents initiated a preliminary investigation in 2009 by U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. On August 18th the NHTSA intensified the investigation due to reports of stalling in the vehicles from the 2005 through 2007 model years, upgrading the preliminary investigation. According to a report on the NHTSA website, “The engine can stall at any speed without warning and not restart”.

In the past year, Toyota has recalled more than 11 million vehicles. Most of the recalls were for inadvertent acceleration by the car itself, not caused by driver error. Prior to the recalls over the last 12 months, Toyota had maintained a reputation of safety and quality with US buyers. James Bell, executive market analyst at Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, said “As if to rub gasoline in Toyota’s already painful wounds, this round of recalls is in response to consumer complaints of unexpected and therefore dangerous engine stalling, rather than the equally unexpected acceleration problems earlier this year.”

Toyota has advised owners to watch for notices about the recall starting in mid-September. Owners should receive a notification when replacement parts are available.

GM suspended production of the Pontiac Vibe last year, but owners will receive a recall notice starting in mid-September as well. GM dealers will perform the repairs.

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