Toyota Recalling Late-model Prius and Specific Lexus SUVs
Toyota announced a recall of roughly 49,000 vehicles in the United States on Wednesday. Affected models include the 2016 Toyota Prius, the 2016 Lexus RX, and the 2015-2016 Lexus NX crossover. The safety issue involves the airbag systems that could fail due to an electrical problem.
Unlike the scary Takata recalls, the biggest danger here is the non-deployment of the front or side-curtain inflators. Toyota claims an open circuit could develop within the system’s sensor. If this were to occur, the airbag warning light should illuminate to indicate a failure.
While Toyota has not mentioned any injuries associated with the recall, it did point out the obvious, acknowledging that inactive safety systems can increase the risk of physical harm in the event of an accident. Concerned owners are asked to bring their vehicles to a service center where technicians can inspect the serial number of the sensors and replace them with new ones. Toyota says it will begin issuing recall notifications in late March.
The automaker recommends that all customers check their vehicle’s status by visiting Toyota’s recall page and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Safety recall details are also available at the NHTSA’s website. For any additional questions, customer support is also available by calling Toyota Customer Service at 1-800-331-4331, or Lexus Customer Service at 1-800-255-3987.
[Image: Toyota]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Fake news. The real story? A 2017 Prius in Calabasas, California caught sight of itself in a mirror, decided it was too ugly to live, and killed itself, stranding the driver.
Every time I start my Hemi, God kills a Prius. Or at least messes one up really bad.
Hey TTAC, following the link, this is a spring and summer of 2016 recall. Old news much?