35,000 Toyotas recalled over safety concerns

A total of 35,124 Toyotas in the UK are being recalled following safety concerns over the airbag modules, seat rails and steering columns.

Toyota

Some 24,785 UK-registered Toyota RAV4 and Hilux models are being recalled following a possible issue with the spiral cable assembly in the airbag module. Due to the position of a retainer in the system, Toyota admits “there may be a risk when the steering wheel is turned of damage to certain circuits that provide connectivity to the airbag.”

This would prevent the airbag from working in a crash, and would illuminate a warning light on the dashboard.

All Toyota RAV4 and Hilux models manufactured between June 2004 and December 2010 are being recalled. Some Land Cruiser SUV models are also affected but not, the company insists, any registered in the UK.

The weld between the steering column bracket and the instrument panel on some Toyota Yaris and Urban Cruiser models might break when the wheel is repeatedly turned with full force.

There have been no reports of accidents, injuries or fatalities linked to the issues

While we expect few Yaris and Urban Cruiser drivers steer in such an aggressive manner, those who do are likely to hear an unusual noise from the bracket area before it fails completely, causing the steering column to tilt out of position.

Toyota says that the driver will not lose steering control.

The recall affects the second-generation Yaris fitted with tilt/telescopic steering wheel adjustment, and Urban Cruiser models built between September 2005 and February 2009. In total, 1,293 UK-registered cars are affected by this recall.

Toyota

Also affecting Yaris and Urban Cruiser models is a spring in the mechanism that locks the driver and (in three-door cars) front passenger seats in position on the seat adjustment rail.

If the seats are often moved back and forward the spring could break, meaning the seat may not lock into position and could move in the event of a crash.

A total of 10,339 UK-registered Yaris and Urban Cruiser models built between January 2005 and August 2010 will be recalled for this issue.

The manufacturer tells us that there have been no reports of accidents, injuries or fatalities linked to the issues, and they will be addressed free of charge following guidance from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA, formally VOSA).

Customers who suspect their vehicle may be affected can check using the car’s registration number on Toyota’s website.

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By Andrew Brady, contributor, MSN Cars