A Toyota recall is in the news again. In this instance there are three potential faults across four models, with 35,124 UK cars involved as part of over six million worldwide.
In its press release Toyota states that there have been no reports of any accidents or injuries relating to the vehicle issues. Toyota is now launching an inspection and repair programme at no charge for all customers, who can check if their car is part of the recall at the
Toyota website
A spiral cable assembly defect has been identified on RAV4s and Hiluxes built between June 2004 and December 2010. A retainer in the airbag unit could become damaged and potentially cut connectivity to the driver's airbag. Any issue should be highlighted by an airbag warning light.
Toyota will fit an improved spiral cable to all the 24,785 UK cars being recalled (the split nearly even between the two models). The work should take about an hour.
A seat spring rail issue in Yaris and Urban Cruiser models built between January 2005 and August 2010 affects 10,339 cars. The spring has been identified as weak and susceptible to breaking under frequent use. Therefore it may not lock into position or could move in a crash. New springs will be fitted where required, taking between 40 and 90 minutes at Toyota.
Toyota has also discovered a steering column bracket problem on 1,293 of the 10,000 Yarises and Urban Cruisers being recalled. A weld that connects the bracket to the instrument panel may break when 'the steering wheel is repeatedly turned with full force'. Second-gen Yarises with the tilt/telescopic steering wheel adjustment and Urban Cruisers built between September 2005 and February 2009 are in this part of the recall. An extra bracket will be fitted to all cars by Toyota even without damage; those affected will get replacement instrument panel reinforcement. The steering column bracket fix will take between 2.5 and 4.5 hours.
All owners involved in the recall will be contacted by Toyota imminently. As well as the website, Toyota customers can phone the recall helpline on 0800 1388744 for more information.