Toyota has announced a global recall that will affect 6.39 million vehicles around the world with three separate issues. Here in Ireland the recall includes up to 8,440 cars.
In fact, there are three separate recall notices being issued at the same time. The first relates to the spiral case assembly in examples of the Hilux and RAV4 manufactured between June 2004 and December 2010. A total of 4,937 vehicles registered in Ireland fall under this. According to Toyota: 'The driver's airbag module is connected to the airbag control unit by a flexible flat cable (FFC). Due to the location of a retainer for the FFC some of the wires can become damaged when the steering wheel is being turned. Should this happen, the airbag warning lamp will illuminate and the driver's airbag may become de-activated. The remedial work will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.'
Recall number two is due to potential issues with the seat rail spring in the Toyota Yaris and Urban Cruiser manufactured between January 2005 and August 2010. That's some 3,475 cars. The issue according to Toyota: 'The spring mechanism which locks the seat rail in its adjusting positions could break if the seat is adjusted forward and backwards with high frequency. If the spring breaks, the seat may not lock into the adjusted position. The remedial work will take approximately 40 to 90 minutes to complete.'
Finally, just 19 Urban Cruisers and nine Yaris T Sports manufactured between September 2005 and February 2009 need to have a replacement steering column bracket fitted. Here's why: 'When the steering wheel is turned repeatedly with full force the bracket fixing the steering column to the instrument panel may become unstable. If this occurs an abnormal noise originates from the bracket area. If the vehicle continues to be driven under these conditions it is possible the bracket will fail, causing the column to tilt out of position. The remedial work will take approximately 150 to 270 minutes to complete.'
Anything else?
Toyota says that there have been no reports anywhere in the world of accidents or injuries related to the issues above.
Toyota Ireland will be writing to owners of cars affected by this recall to arrange a suitable dealer and time for the remedial work to be carried out. Drivers may contact Toyota ahead of that if they wish on 01 419 0222.
If you're affected by this recall and you have any questions please get in contact via the Ask Us Anything! page.