Toyota recalls close to million cars over airbag defect

Plano, TX  – January 22, 2024 – Toyota (NYSE:TM), which also owns the Lexus brand,  is recalling 999,901 vehicles over a problem with a passenger airbag that could prevent it from being deployed in the event of a collision. This ups the risk of an injury.

The recall comes on the heels of over 1,000 warranty claims and includes some of the following vehicles:

  • 2020 – 2021 Toyota Avalon 
  • 2020 – 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
  • 2020 – 2022 Toyota Camry
  • 2020 – 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  • 2020 – 2021 Toyota Corolla
  • 2020 – 2022 Toyota Highlander
  • 2020 – 2022 Lexus ES Hybrid
  • 2020 – 2021 Lexus RX Hybrid

Recall summary  

The airbags in Toyota and Lexus vehicles use the so-called Occupant Classification System (OCS), which is an array of sensors designed to classify the weight of the front seat passenger. The OCS information determines whether the airbag should be deployed.

In the affected vehicles, the circuit board where the OCS sits was cracked during production. This may result in the short circuit and prevent the deployment of the front passenger airbag.

The full list of the affected vehicles is available here.

Recall risks

All risks caused by non-inflating airbags are explained in this article about a similar recall by Ford.   

Warning signs

In the event of the airbag failure, the driver should see the “the SRS warning lamp” and “Passenger Airbag OFF” lamp illuminate, among other warnings.

Background of the recall

The recall is a result of 1,194 warranty claims and 27 field reports. It is not clear if any injuries or crashes have been reported because of the defect.

Other Toyota recalls

In August 2023, Toyota and Lexus hybrid SUVs were recalled over the risk of fire from damage caused by “supplier issues.” 

In November 2023, Toyota recalled over three quarters of a million of SUVs over the risk of the front bumpers falling off “during normal operation.”

The repair

Dealers will replace the OCS sensors in the affected units free of charge. Owners will receive letters with more information by February 18, 2024.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Almost 1 million vehicles are affected by this Toyota front passenger airbag recall. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloToyota recalls close to million cars over airbag defect

Toyota recalls hybrid, conventional and FCEV cars over reduced stability

Plano, TX – May 14, 2022 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 458,054 vehicles whose stability control may fail to turn back on automatically after it is turned off. This makes the vehicle less stable during sudden maneuvers, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

A total of 17 different models are affected by this recall, including the following:  

  • 2020 – 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 
  • 2021 – 2022 Toyota Mirai 
  • 2021 – 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime
  • 2021 – 2022 Toyota Sienna 
  • 2021 – 2022 Toyota Venza
  • 2021 – 2022 Lexus LS500H 
  • 2022 Lexus LX600
  • 2022 Lexus NX350H
  • 2022 Lexus NX450H+
  • 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 

Recall summary  

All cars on this list are equipped with a Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system. Its job is to prevent the vehicle from skidding during fast maneuvers or when the road is slippery. The drivers may disengage this system, but it is supposed to resume automatically every time the car is restarted. 

As a result of a programming error, the VSC system in affected vehicles may remain disengaged even after the restart. This happens only when the driver keeps her foot on the brake while shutting off the car and turning it back on

As a result, drivers are more likely to lose control of a vehicle, especially when driving fast or on slippery roads.

The component behind this recall is the brake actuator assembly, with multiple part numbers including 44510-48090 or 44540-50231. 

Recall risks

The defect increases the risk of a crash and injury. 

Warning signs

If the VSC is off, a warning light will illuminate on the dashboard.

Other Toyota recalls

There was a Toyota Sienna recall in November 2021, caused by seatbelts that were prone to tearing. In February, the manufacturer recalled 41,544 Toyota Venzas hybrid SUVs because of faulty turn signals, as reported.

The repair

To fix the issue, Toyota and Lexus authorized dealers will reprogram the Vehicle Stability Control ECU (electronic control unit) and install an updated software version. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent between May 16, 2022 and June 24, 2022.   

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

These Toyota electrical issues have caused a recall that affects almost half a million vehicles. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicToyota recalls hybrid, conventional and FCEV cars over reduced stability