Toyota has issued a recall for over 300,000 FJ Cruiser SUVs due to potentially defective seat belts that may fail after extensive use. This recall affects models from 2007 to 2013, with over 200,000 units sold in the U.S. alone. The issue stems from the seat belt retractors mounted on the rear doors, which may develop cracks over time. Owners are advised to use caution when closing the rear doors until a solution is found. For more details, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.
Toyota Motor Corporation has announced a significant recall affecting more than 300,000 FJ Cruiser SUVs due to a potential seat belt failure. The recall targets models from 2007 to 2013, with over 200,000 units sold in the United States, 52,000 in the Middle East, and additional units in Canada, Australia, China, Latin America, and Oceania. Internal testing revealed that the mounts for the driver and front passenger seat belts could develop cracks and eventually fail due to repeated, though normal, use.
The seat belt retractors for the driver and front passenger are mounted on the rear doors of the FJ Cruiser. According to a Toyota spokesperson, "Due to insufficient strength of the rear door panel, cracks may develop over an extended period if the rear door is repeatedly and forcefully closed." While gently closing the rear doors could mitigate the risk, the issue arises from what is considered normal usage, meaning no abnormal behavior is required for the problem to manifest.
As of now, Toyota has not developed a specific solution to address the issue. The company will notify owners of the recall once a fix is discovered. In the meantime, owners are encouraged to contact Toyota for more information and to exercise caution when closing their SUV's rear doors to reduce stress on the seat belt mounts. Additional information can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.
Despite consistently ranking high in initial vehicle quality and long-term reliability, Toyota continues to face safety-related issues. The company has led all automakers in vehicle recalls for three of the past four years, including the previous year. Since the unintended acceleration incidents in 2009 and 2010, Toyota has dealt with various problems, from rollaway risks to engine fires.
Just two months before the seat belt recall, Toyota and Lexus recalled over 1 million vehicles due to defective airbags and faulty windshield wipers. In the first quarter of the year alone, more than 1.2 million vehicles were recalled in the U.S., positioning Toyota to potentially lead the industry in total recalls once again.
Managing recalls has also been a challenge for Toyota, as the company has faced repeated fines for failing to meet federal recall guidelines. Last year, Toyota received the largest recall-related fine in automotive history. In response, the company committed to improving its internal procedures for handling service actions. The absence of subsequent fines suggests that progress has been made. Despite these issues, Toyota's sales continue to reach all-time highs, indicating that consumer confidence in the brand remains strong.
While Toyota grapples with ongoing safety challenges, the company's commitment to addressing these issues and improving internal procedures is evident. Owners of affected FJ Cruiser models should stay informed and take necessary precautions until a permanent solution is found. For the latest updates, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.
By staying proactive and informed, Toyota owners can navigate these recalls with minimal disruption while the company works towards long-term solutions.
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