(November 22, 2012) Toyota is recalling about 150,000 Tacoma pickup trucks because the spare tires can fall from beneath the trucks. The 2001 to 2004 model-year trucks were sold or registered in 20 cold-weather states and Washington, D.C., Toyota said.

A plate used to hold the spare tire under the truck bed can rust after long exposure to road salt. In some cases, the plate can break and the tire can fall, the company said.

“The lack of phosphate coating combined with prolonged exposure to high road salt use and other environmental factors may contribute to the development of more than normal corrosion of the lift plate on some vehicles,” the company said in a statement.

Toyota is aware of two minor accidents caused by the problem, but no injuries, the Associated Press reported. In each of the accidents, a tire fell and struck a vehicle behind the pickups, AP said.

Toyota said dealers will inspect and may replace the plates at no cost to owners. The company said it will begin notifying affected Tacoma owners by mail in December.

States covered by the recall are: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

Source: Automotive News