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.
