4Runner airbag recall

[Okki]

Well... I guess the 4runner finally made it into a recall.. ohh wait.. that's not good?!?!?

Okki

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Toyota recalls slew of models for possible airbag calibration defect

Report Receipt Date: JAN 16, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V014000

Toyota Products Associated with this Recall:
- 2009-2010 AVALON, FJ CRUISER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID
- 2009-2012 4RUNNER, CAMRY, CAMRY HYBRID, PRIUS, RAV4, TACOMA
- 2009-2013 HIGHLANDER, VENZA
- 2010-2012 SEQUOIA
- 2010-2013 COROLLA, SIENNA, TUNDRA
- 2012 PRIUS V

Component(s): AIR BAGS , SEATS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 3,235
Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

SUMMARY:
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

CONSEQUENCE:
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

REMEDY:
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall is expected to begin during January 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

 

[1engineer]

"During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested."

I think that is the key phrase. South East Toyota modded your seat? Better get it checked.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

That seems to be a Dealer based recall, in the sense that it is not a factory issue from Toyota but rather a issue caused by 3rd party (in this case Dealer installed) accessories.

Recalls and campaigns aren't "bad" in my personal opinion they're good. It means the company is coming out saying, "we done F^%#d up and we wanna make it right."

 

[flyrv9]

Don't these systems do a POST (power on self test) to check for things like this on every power up?

 

[scanny]

Don't these systems do a POST (power on self test) to check for things like this on every power up?

IMHO it's gotta be very sophisticated test to find out that somebody installed leather seat covers, seat heaters and headrest DVD and forgot to test airbag sensors calibration : )

 

[Ivy Mike]

Thanks for the heads up. A SET dealer installed leather and seat heaters in my SR5. More precisely, Atlanta Toyota had a vendor pick up the 4r, take it off-site and install those things plus window tinting and roof rack bars. I'll have them check it out when I get in for the headlamp replacement in a few weeks. Total affected units sounds low, I wonder if these are modded before they get to the lot.