Toyota to voluntarily recall RAV4, Highlander to replace airbag sensor defect

Japanese automaker Toyota's sales arm in the US, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.,  has announced that it is issuing a voluntary safety recall of certain RAV4 and certain 2008 Highlander and Highlander HV produced from 2007 through 2008 model year vehicles sold in the US to replace the airbag sensor assembly.

It said approximately 214,000 RAV4 vehicles and approximately 94,000 Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles would be covered by this recall.

Toyota said in a statement, "in the roll sensing curtain shield airbag system of the subject vehicles, there are two sensors in the airbag sensor assembly which are designed to detect vehicle roll angle.

If one of these sensors malfunctions, the airbag warning light (malfunction indicator light) will illuminate and the roll detection system will be suspended; however, the airbag remains available in the event of a side collision.

If both sensors fail nearly simultaneously after initial airbag system check, the seat belt pretensioner and the curtain shield airbag could be inadvertently activated."

No other Lexus or Toyota vehicles are involved in this recall and this condition involves only vehicles sold in the North American market; vehicles sold in other markets are not equipped with this roll sensing curtain shield airbag system.

Toyota said that the owners of the involved vehicles will receive an interim notification letter advising them of this recall by first class mail in May 2011. Toyota will also post this information on its website.

"Toyota dealers will replace the roll sensing sensor assembly with a new one at no cost to the customer," Toyota said.