Toyota Australia has today announced a recall of approximately 98,000 RAV4 vehicles built between August 2005 and November 2012 due to a potential issue with both outboard seat belts of the second row seats.
There is a possibility that, in the event of a high-speed frontal collision, the seat belt webbing could contact a portion of the metal seat cushion frame, become cut and separate.
If this occurs, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, which could increase the risk of injury to the occupant.
There have been no accidents or injuries in Australia as a result of this condition.
For all impacted vehicles, Toyota dealers will add resin protection covers to the metal seat cushion frames. These parts are presently being prepared and, due to the number of vehicles impacted globally, it is anticipated that sufficient parts will be available to commence recall repairs by June this year.
Affected vehicle owners will be notified by mail advising details of this recall campaign.
When parts are available, all affected vehicle owners will again be advised by mail and asked to take their vehicle to any authorised Toyota dealer for rectification.
The repairs will take approximately 60 minutes and will be conducted free of charge.
For further information, customers can contact the Toyota recall campaign helpline on 1800 987 366 or visit Toyota.com.au.
Toyota RAV4 ACA33, GSA33 & ACA38
Rear Seat Belt Q&A
Q1: What is the condition?
A1: The subject vehicles are equipped with 3-point lap-shoulder belt assemblies in both outboard seating positions of the second row seats. Due to the shape of the metal seat cushion frame, in the event of a high-speed collision, principally in the frontal direction, there is a possibility that the lap belt webbing could contact a portion of the seat cushion frame, become cut, and separate. If this occurs, the seat belt will not properly restrain the occupant, which could increase the risk of injury to an occupant.
Q2: What is the cause of this condition?
A2: This concern is due to the shape of the metal seat cushion frame.
Q3: Which and how many vehicles are involved?
A3: There are approximately 98,664 Toyota RAV4 ACA33, GSA33 & ACA38 vehicles covered by this Campaign in the Australian market.
Please refer to the below table for details
| Model | Model Code | WMI | VDS | CD | VIS RANGE | PRODUCTION PERIOD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | From | To | |||||
| RAV4 | ACA33R | JTM | BD31V | # | 05000013 | 05305532 | 25/08/2005 | 16/11/2012 |
| 0D001416 | 0D034114 | 27/02/2009 | 16/11/2012 | |||||
| BD33V | # | 05000027 | 05305542 | 31/10/2005 | 19/11/2012 | |||
| 0D001409 | 0D034129 | 27/02/2009 | 16/11/2012 | |||||
| GSA33R | BK31V | # | 05034307 | 05110095 | 24/05/2007 | 12/10/2012 | ||
| 0D006485 | 0D019517 | 27/02/2009 | 11/10/2012 | |||||
| BK33V | # | 05041543 | 05110208 | 24/08/2007 | 01/11/2012 | |||
| 0D006497 | 0D019570 | 27/02/2009 | 30/10/2012 | |||||
| ACA38R | ZD31V | # | 05148968 | 05246758 | 22/02/2010 | 16/11/2012 | ||
| 0D007307 | 0D038731 | 25/01/2010 | 16/11/2012 | |||||
| ZD33V | # | 05149661 | 05246785 | 26/02/2010 | 19/11/2012 | |||
| 0D008926 | 0D038755 | 01/03/2010 | 16/11/2012 | |||||
Notes:
1/ Although the involved vehicles are within the tabled VIN ranges, not all vehicles in these VIN ranges were sold in the Australian market.
2/ (#) indicates additional check digit (alpha or numeric).
Q3a: Are there any other Toyota/Lexus vehicles covered by this campaign?
A3a: No. There are no other models covered by this campaign in the Australian market.
Q3b: Why are other vehicles not covered by this campaign?
A3b: Only Toyota RAV4 ACA33, GSA33 & ACA38 vehicles have been identified as having the specific shape of the metal seat cushion frame.
Q4: Are there any warnings that this condition exists?
A4: No. There are no warnings that this condition exists.
Q5: What is Toyota going to do?
A5: An interim letter will be mailed out to owners of the involved vehicles in early March 2016 to provide early detail of the forthcoming campaign. At the time of parts availability, Toyota will again notify owners by mail to make an appointment with any authorised Toyota Dealer to have the rectification completed. Expected commencement timing June 2016. Toyota Dealers will perform the required rectification FREE OF CHARGE to the vehicle owner.
Q6: What does the remedy involve?
A6: For all involved vehicles, Toyota dealers will add resin protective covers to the metal seat cushion frame thereby eliminating the potential for contact with the metal seat cushion frame.
Q7: How long will the repair take?
A7: This repair will take approximately 1 hour. However, depending upon the Dealer’s work schedule, it may be necessary to make your vehicle available for a longer period of time.
Q8: Why is Toyota announcing this recall and replacing parts are not available?
A8: Toyota takes the safety of Toyota owners seriously, as soon as we identified the issue we decided to inform owners, this allows additional care to be taken when driving.
Q9: Am I able to continue to operate my vehicle until this recall is completed?
A9: Yes, The potential for this condition can only occur during high speed frontal collisions. Toyota always recommends drivers operate their vehicles carefully and safely to minimize the potential for vehicle accidents.
Q10: When will parts be available to commence correction of vehicles?
A10: Toyota is working with our suppliers to manufacture parts in the shortest possible time frames, we expect that parts will be made available by June 2016.
Q11: What should I do now?
A11: To ensure that we can contact you, your contact details can be updated with Toyota by calling the Toyota recall campaign helpline on 1800 987 366. Please quote your 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), we will then be able to contact you as soon as parts are available.
Q12: Where can I find my VIN?
A12: The vehicle identification number is stamped on the vehicle identification number plate, on the manufacturer’s plate and frame, as shown in the illustration.
