Another software glitch – and coverup? – that can blowup the side curtain airbag unexpectedly.
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. today announced that it intends to recall 2007 through 2008 model year RAV4 and certain 2008 Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles sold in the United States to replace the airbag sensor assembly. There are approximately 214,000 RAV4 vehicles and approximately 94,000 Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles covered by this Toyota recall for a safety defect.
Toyota has been aware of the problem since October of 2007, and changed the software in new vehicles in 2008, and yet did not recall the defective vehicles even though injuries were reported. Previous such coverups resulted in record fines imposed on Toyota by NHTSA in 2010 for failure to act promptly on a safety defect.
In the side curtain airbag system of the defective Rav4 and Highlander models, there are two sensors, which are designed to detect vehicle roll angle. If one of these sensors malfunctions, the airbag warning light will illuminate and the roll detection system will be suspended. However, the side curtain airbag remains available in the event of a side collision.
If both sensors fail nearly simultaneously after the initial airbag system check, the seat belt pretensioner could activate as the curtain airbag blows up – the reason for the Toyota recall.
No other Lexus or Toyota vehicles are involved in this recall and this condition involves only vehicles sold in the North American market; vehicles sold in other markets are not equipped with this roll sensing curtain shield airbag system, Toyota said in a statement about its latest quality and safety defect.
Owners of the involved vehicles will receive an interim notification letter advising them of this recall by first class mail in May 2011. Toyota will also post this information on its website. Toyota dealers will replace the roll sensing sensor assembly with a new one at no cost to the customer as is required by the National Highway traffic safety Administration (NHTSA).
Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
