Torrance, CA — April 18, 2016 — Toyota’s new recall will address problems in more than 12,800 vehicles, as the company looks to correct brake actuator assemblies in the affected units. Owners can expect a first-class mail notification, and dealers should be prepared to inspect the suspect vehicles for serial numbers. Because the possibly faulty system could affect multiple functions, solving the problem may restore multiple functions to drivers, including vehicle stability and traction control.

All of the recalled vehicles are from the 2016 model year: they include the RAV4, RX350 and ES350. According to a press release from the company, distributed through Autoblog, the affected vehicles might prove unstable to a hazardous extent. The actuator represents a major single point where multiple systems can be affected all at once.

“There is a possibility that a component inside the actuator could have been damaged during manufacturing, preventing the actuator from operating properly,” the statement read. “This could cause a loss of vehicle stability control, increasing the risk of crash.” A company representative quoted by the source denied the chance to explain whether or not there were any incidents connected to this recall.

Cars.com reported on a different recall from earlier this year also involving the RAV4. In this effort, the model years showed greater range, from 2006 to 2014. Car occupants were in danger from lap belts that could separate during a crash, due to a seat belt defect.

Although this earlier recall only included two models, the RAV4 and the RAV4EV, the volume of vehicles was greater, accounting for more than 1 million. The source stated that dealers would solve this issue by placing resin covers on the seat cushion frames.

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, 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.

Tokyo, Japan — October, 29 2015 — More than 6 million vehicles are part of a new worldwide Toyota recall over faulty power window switches. According to the Wall Street Journal, North America will see closer to 2.7 million vehicles recalled, as the manufacturer addresses cars produced over a five year period, beginning in January 2005. No serious fatalities and one minor injury has been attributed to these conditions, though there have been more than 11 cases documented in which fires affected the vehicles.

In affected vehicles, fires could break out because of too-little grease on driver’s side windows. Components inside the car could melt, leaving drivers and passengers both at risk. Over time, the electrics can wear down and spark a fire, destroying or damaging sections of the auto, like the switch assembly. Vehicle models involved in this recall include RAV4s, Corollas and Camrys. In addition to these numbers, more than 1 million cars will recalled in Europe.

The company has acknowledged that the fault could lead to a potential fire in target vehicles, and is not related to the Takata recalls that have affected millions of Toyota vehicles. The supplier in this case is Tokai Rika Co., a representative of which defended the car company’s actions.

“We have been taking various measures to prevent problems from recurring,” this person said, as the Wall Street Journal notes. “But the recalled vehicles carry older components.”

USA Today notes that Toyota has issued a similar recall in the past, centering around 150,000 vehicles from between 2007 and 2009. The company will administer a free remedy in response to the recall.

San Antonio, TX — October 26, 2015 — In a new voluntary recall action, Toyota will address airbag bolt problems in more than 300 2016 Tacoma vehicles. On October 13, the same day in which it announced that the truck had been honored by the Texas Auto Writers Association, the company released a statement detailing the issue, which involves faulty bolts used to hold a knee air bag module in place within the vehicle.

As part of a more comprehensive injury reduction technique during a crash, knee airbags are meant to spread out the cushioning and protect drivers. Their use stems from increased government interest, including the New Car Assessment Program, as reported by Edmunds.

Another manufacturer employing knee air bags in new vehicles is Ford, which has incorporated them into the passenger side of its 2015 Mustang. In contrast, driver-side knee air bags inflate under the steering apparatus.

The manufacturer explained the problems associated with the recall-worthy issue and tied the problem to operations at a specific factory. To remedy this issue, dealers will replace all four of the module’s bolts in affected vehicles at a yet-undisclosed date.

“There is a possibility that incorrect bolts were installed during vehicle assembly at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California plant,” the statement reads. “This could result in the bolts loosening over time. A loosened bolt could affect the performance of the knee air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.”

Last September, Toyota also issued a recall for Tacoma vehicles, albeit one that applied to 690,000 units associated with a fragile rear suspension leaf spring system.

Jacksonville, FL — September 9, 2015 — Several thousand Toyota 4Runner vehicles with production years between 2010 and 2015 are part of a new recall based on possible burn risk for consumers. According to the Part 573 Safety Recall Report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2,530 vehicles are potentially affected and all 100 percent of these are estimated to have the defect.

In the targeted 4Runners, the exhaust tips may burn anyone reaching for it while standing behind the vehicle. This is because these tips are meant to be out of reach for people, even though they are recessed behind the bumper, as it should be.

The recall officially comes from Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC, which is responding to reports of a burn traced back to this fault earlier this summer. The report details the remedy this action requires, as well as the qualities that will separate the replacement parts from the exhaust tip currently used in these vehicles.

“The exhaust tip will be replaced with a new, re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is recessed a greater distance behind the bumper,” the source says. “The new exhaust tip is smaller in diameter and will be recessed a greater distance behind the bumper.”

As the report document, dated August 17, describes, the planned dealer notification date was schedule for some time between August 11 and 12, while the owner notification will happen on September 21. The manufacturer is also encouraging owners to respond to its recall communications by calling its customer service line.

Tokyo, Japan — July 16, 2015 — Toyota Motor Corporation is reportedly recalling 625,000 Prius hybrids throughout the world, and in a statement released through the company’s official website, it specified that the action concerns ECU controls within the affected vehicles.

According to Reuters, most of the Priuses being recalled are in Japan, and 120,000 of those vehicles are in the United States. The affected model is the Prius V, which is also known by other names, possibly adding to the inherent confusion of such a large recall effort. Model years for the defective vehicles range between 2012 and 2014.

The statement says that dealers will attend to the risks by updating the software in the ECU’s. The issue poses a possible danger for transistors in these Priuses, due to overly high levels of “thermal stress” within the system. No injuries have been linked to this problem yet, but it does follow on a larger recall issued last year for more than 1 million Priuses.

“If this happens, various warning lights will illuminate and the vehicle can enter a failsafe mode,” the statement says, referring to the aftereffects of the Prius faults. “In rare circumstances, the hybrid system might shut down while the vehicle is being driven, resulting in the loss of power and the vehicle coming to a stop.”

The context of recall actions of this nature matters for the fixes to be applied effectively, and proper awareness and response campaigns will communicate the severity of an issue in a way that leads to real improvement and prevention. In such cases, it may be necessary to know some history of a vehicle defect in addition to the immediate dangers that a threat poses.