Tokyo, Japan — February 10, 2016 — Toyota’s new recall involves roof-mounted side airbags in a variety of models. The Associated Press featured a list of the affected vehicles, which include Tundras, Sequoias, Land Cruisers, 4-Runners and Lexus LX and GX 470s with model years ranging from 2003 to 2006. According to this source, occupants of these vehicles are at risk due to badly programmed air bag control computers.
“Occupants of these vehicles are at risk due to badly programmed air bag control computers.”
Altogether, the recall will involve 320,000 vehicles, which will be inspected by the appropriate dealers. Although no official notification date was listed, a press release from the manufacturer said that owners will be notified “by first class mail” as part of the recall.
This statement also added that the replacement airbag control module will have “improved programming” that unnecessarily triggers the Curtain-Shield-Airbags (CSAs), which could actually cause more danger. Earlier this month, a similar recall concerned thousands of Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h vehicles for knee airbag modules: in that case, the modules were said to be improperly manufactured.
“Due to improper programming in the airbag control modules, there is a possibility that, under certain specific and limited conditions shortly after startup, the CSAs and seat belt pretensioners could activate when not necessary,” the statement said. “Unexpected activation of the CSAs could increase the risk of injury to the occupant,” it added.
As Automotive News stated, neither of these Toyota recalls are connected to the Takata airbag inflator concerns that have affected millions of units. However, 2015 Toyota vehicles are reportedly part of the ongoing investigations.
