2006–2007 Toyota Yaris Recall: Seat Belts

The defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 134,895 MY 2006-2007 YARIS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO BE ACTIVATED IN RESPONSE TO A SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT. WHEN THE SENSOR DETECTS A SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE QUICKLY DRAWN BACK BY THE RETRACTORS SO THAT THE BELTS SNUGLY RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES CONTAIN A CENTER PILLAR SOUND INSULATOR LOCATED UNDERNEATH EACH FRONT SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER.

The risk

IN THE EVENT OF SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DEPLOYMENT, THE GAS GENERATED MAY AFFECT THE SOUND INSULATORS. IN THE WORST CASE, IF THE SOUND INSULATORS IGNITE, THIS CONDITION WILL RESULT IN A POST-COLLISION FIRE.

The fix — what to do

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MODIFICATION WILL ENTAIL REMOVAL OF THE SMALL URETHANE CENTER PILLAR SOUND INSULATORS (SPONGE) UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 90C.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .