Laguna Hills, CA – November 2, 2018 – Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles that SET modified to be equipped with a TRD wheel package on which a certification label was incorrect. This recall is expected to affect 1295 vehicles in North America.
The Defect
According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Timeline of Events
During a routine data validation audit on in late September 2018, it was discovered that the accessory weight for the TRD Wheel Package was not accurately relayed to the software used to calculate the load carrying capacity modification labels. The TRD Wheel Package is installed by SET at the request of Toyota and is considered standard equipment on the special edition TRD 4Runner from Toyota. However, the TRD Wheel package weight was not included in the final vehicle certification, and should have been included in the load carrying capacity modification label calculation. This led to affected vehicles having the incorrect cargo weight capacity listed and some having a negative cargo carrying capacity.
The Solution
SET will notify the customers by mail of the noncompliance. An accurate label will be provided to apply over the inaccurate label at no charge. Each label will be customized for the corresponding customer’s vehicle based on the net weight of the accessories installed. Fifteen (15) vehicles have been identified which cannot be remedied solely with a revised label. They may require an alternate remedy to remain in line with net weight restrictions and allow cargo carrying capacity to shift out of negative. These customers will be contacted separately, and options provided, one of which may be the exchange or upgrade of accessories at no charge to reduce the overall weight and increase cargo carrying load capacity.
Customers will be notified and arrangements made to provide a suitable remedy. SET expects the mailing of customer notification letters to begin on or about December 24, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET’s number for this recall is SET18A. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-753.
