Toyota recalls RAV4, Prius units

MANILA, Philippines — The local unit of Japanese carmaker Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling 1,157 RAV4 units for airbag inflator replacement, and 81 Prius units to change the seat belt.

In a letter to Department of Trade and Industry Consumer Protection Group director Domingo Tolentino Jr. dated Feb.4, Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMPC) first vice president Rommel Gutierrez said the company is undertaking the safety campaign for the driver airbag inflator of RAV4 units produced from June 6, 1997 until Aug.17, 1999.

He said the safety campaign is being implemented as based on a defect information report filed by automotive parts firm Takata, the propellant in some of the involved inflators may absorb moisture over time.

The absorption of moisture may lead to slow deployment or inflator rupture when the airbags are commanded to deploy.

 “If an abnormal deployment of the driver airbag occurs, this could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash,” Gutierrez said.

As a safety measure, he said TMPC would be replacing the front driver airbag inflator module at no cost to customers.

In a separate letter addressed also to Tolentino, Gutierrez said TMPC is also recalling 81 Prius units produced from Nov. 27, 2015 until Sept. 27, 2017 to replace the driver side seat inner belt.

“For the subject vehicles, in the driver’s seat belt reminder system, due to an improper assembly of the electrical contacts in the reminder switch, there is a possibility that abnormal wear at the contacts may occur after repeated use of the seat belt and residue may be deposited,” he said.

In such condition, he said the seat belt reminder could not be turned off even when the seat belt is fastened due to a short circuit between the contacts.

To address this, he said TMPC will replace the driver side seat inner belt with a new one free of charge.

 “TMP is currently preparing the replacement parts and will notify the concerned customers through official notification letters and invite them to bring their vehicles to Toyota dealer for the special service,” he said.