Toyota RAV4 and Highlander recalled for their defective airbags

(TCI) today announced its intention to conduct a voluntary safety campaign involving some RAV4 vehicles model year 2007 vehicles and some 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid model year 2008 sold in Canada to replace the assembly sensor airbags. About 19,000 RAV4 vehicles and approximately 6,000 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles are affected by this campaign security.

In the system of lateral curtain airbags for vehicles concerned, there are two sensors in the sensor assembly airbags that are designed to detect the roll angle of the vehicle. If one of these sensors is default, the witness airbags will illuminate and the roll detection system will be suspended; however, the lateral curtain airbag remains functional in the event of a lateral collision. If both sensors are lacking almost simultaneously after the initial verification of the airbag system, the tensioner safety belts and lateral curtain airbag could be inadvertently active.

No other Toyota or Lexus vehicle is key in this recall and only vehicles sold in the North American market are concerned; the vehicles sold in other markets are not equipped with this sensor assembly airbags.

The owners of the involved vehicles will receive a letter of interim reviews by first class mail in May 2011 informing them of the recall. Toyota also publish this information on its Web site. Toyota dealers will replace the sensor assembly airbags with a new assembly at no cost to clients.