Seatbelt Issues Lead to Worldwide Toyota RAV4 Recall

Torrance, CA — March 02, 2016 — Although most of the vehicles in a new Toyota recall are in North America, this action affects almost 3 million SUVs around the world. A press release from the manufacturer explained that seatbelts in these autos ustould accidentally detach and leave occupants at risk, something possible during a severe impact.

The recall will affect RAV4 and RAV4 EV vehicles with combined model years ranging between 2006 and 2014. So far, there have been two reports of incidents where a crash caused a seatbelt in these affected vehicles to detach. The issue is due to a design that could make it easier for the seat frame to cut the belt.

“North America alone will recall 1.3 million vehicles for this problem.”

North America alone will recall 1.3 million vehicles for this problem, as the manufacturer reaches out to vehicle owners. The manufacturing production dates stretch as far back as 2005. Toyota’s solution will see the seat frames fit with a resin cover to reduce the chance of seatbelts detaching, a process that could take an hour at maximum.

“There is a possibility that, in the event of a very severe frontal crash, the lap belt webbing could contact a portion of the metal seat cushion frame, become cut, and separate,” the statement reads. “If this occurs, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, which could increase the risk of injury.”

Outside of the United States, the CBC reports that China will see 434,000 vehicles recalled, while Japan’s version of the Toyota recalls only concerns 177,00 vehicles. More than 300,000 SUVs in countries that aren’t in North America, Europe, Japan or China are part of the ongoing effort as well. Another report, this from the New York Times, notes that the defect reportedly does not stem from a supplier issue.

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Hyundai Recalls 2011 Tucson for Transmission Issues

Fountain Valley, CA — March 01, 2016 — A total of 11,176 2011 Hyundai Tucson vehicles are part of a recall action submitted late last month. Models manufactured between July and October in 2010 are subject to a possible transmission fluid leak, due to badly produced hoses. Although the official recall began only recently, it represents five years of investigations and response actions, with the first notifications coming from a dealer in September 2011.

Owners and dealers alike have a few symptoms to help them determine whether or not a particular vehicle is at risk. According to the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, affected models are light SUV’s with automatic transaxles. If the transmission hose is visibly leaking fluid, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp is on or the vehicle is shifting unusually, the driver might be at risk.

The vehicle manufacturer will notify owners beginning March 25, with dealers notified on the same date, though the official schedule for the recall was not reported. However, this document did describe some of the observations uncovered in previous investigations.

“The investigation revealed that certain hoses manufactured from August 2010 through October 2010 might have been improperly cured during the manufacturing process, lowering the hose rubber durability and creating the potential for the hose to rupture and split,” the document said. Faulty hoses could potentially leak enough transmission fluid to put the vehicle in danger.

In 2015, Subaru also recalled thousands of vehicles for transmission fluid leak concerns. Instead of a hose, this effort was prompted by a “deformed” seal cap inside a propeller shaft yoke that could have leaked fluid onto an exhaust pipe. The repair required dealers to replace the entire propeller shaft assembly following a stop sale order.

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