I just got off the phone with Brian Lyons, Safety and Quality Communications Manager for Toyota Motor Sales. He gave some insight on the announced recall.

On where the problem started:

"There hasn't been a single case of this problem reported in the Unites States; the problem was actually discovered in Canada, where we're also working to address the issue."

On the decision to target the 19 states listed:

We did a climate profile, for lack of a better term, and singled out the 19 states with profiles most similar to the areas in which the problem had been reported. But this recall is a 2-phase program. The first phase addresses those target states immediately, but it will be a comprehensive recall. In September -- mid-September, we think -- we'll be sending out a letter to affected owners in the remaining 31 states detailing how to replace the necessary parts, free of charge. The exact timing on that second phase will be subject to parts availability, which we'll know more about after the first phase."

Lyons stresses that the recall is voluntary, as in not forced by an outside agency, and that getting ahead of the problem was a way in which Toyota could further demonstrate their emphasis on safety and customer satisfaction.

The Our Point of View section on Toyota.com should have further details up later today; in the meantime, check out the original press release or call the Customer Experience Centers for Toyota (1-800-331-4331) or Scion (1-866-707-2466) for more information.