TORRENCE, Japan (February 18, 2016) –– Roughly 2.9 million Toyota SUVs in North America, Japan, China, Europe and other regions are being recalled due to a potential for seat belts to fail in a collision, according to a press release by Toyota Motors Sales USA Inc.
The recall was prompted by a crash in Canada where a passenger was killed when the seat belt reportedly became cut as it rubbed against the metal seat frame in a major crash, the New York Times reports. There was also a second crash involving injuries in another location. Both incidents are under investigation to confirm the link to the seat belt issue.
About 1.1 million of the RAV4 SUVs sold in North America between 2005 and 2014 are included in the recall. Specifically, the 2006 to 2012 model RAV4 SUV and the 2012 to 2014 RAV4 electric SUVs. Also, the Vanguard SUV sold in Japan between 2005 and 2016 were included in the recall.
The recall states that the seat belt material in the second row window seats have been found to rub against a metal seat cushion frame in some cases where there is a major front-end crash. The seat belts could be cut and potentially fail to restrain occupants.
The recalled vehicles will be fitted with a plastic cover on the metal frame to prevent this problem from happening at no cost to vehicle owners.
Johnson Attorneys Group, a California-based personal injury and lemon law firm, provides legal help to people who are injured or have lost a loved one in a crash involving defective vehicles or negligent drivers. Call us for a free consultation at 800-235-6801 and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
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