Toyota Australia to recall previous generation Prius
Jun 29, 2016 By Toyota Australia.
Toyota Australia has announced a recall of approximately 4560 previous generation Prius vehicles built between April 2009 and April 2012.
The recall is due to the possibility that there may be a small crack in the weld area joining the curtain shield airbag inflator chambers.
If this happens, the crack may grow over time and lead to the separation of the airbag inflator chambers.
If an inflator separates, the curtain shield airbags could partially deploy and in limited circumstances one or both sections of the inflator could enter the interior of the vehicle. If an occupant is present in the vehicle, there may be an increased risk of injury.
There have been no reported cases in Australia of this condition.
Toyota Australia will soon be contacting all affected vehicle owners by mail to advise them of the recall campaign and ask them to make an appointment at their preferred Toyota dealer once parts become available.
For all affected vehicles, Toyota dealers will install curtain shield airbag support brackets.
The repair will take approximately two hours to complete and will be carried out free of charge.
For further information, customers can contact the Toyota recall campaign helpline on 1800 987 366.
Toyota Prius
Curtain Shield Air Bag Q and A
Q1: What is the condition?
A1: The subject vehicles are equipped with side Curtain Shield Air Bags (CSA) in the driver and passenger side roof rails that are composed of two chambers welded together.
One chamber contains the propellant and the second chamber contains a compressed gas. Some inflators could have a small crack in the weld area joining the chambers, which could grow over time and lead to separation of the inflator chambers.
If an inflator separates, this allows the pressurised gas to escape into the CSA resulting in partial deployment. In the worst case, one or both sections of the inflator could enter the interior of the vehicle. If an occupant is present in the vehicle, there is an increased risk of injury.
Q2: What is the function of the Curtain Shield Airbags?
A2: The curtain shield air bag works together with the seat belts to help reduce head injuries to the driver, passenger or second row seat occupants and can help retain occupants inside the vehicle.
Q3: Which and how many vehicles are involved?
A3: There are 4,565 Toyota Prius vehicles involved in the Australian market.
Q4: What is Toyota going to do?
A4: A letter will be mailed out to owners of the involved vehicles on or about 29th July, 2016 requesting they make an appointment with an authorised Toyota Dealer to have the rectification completed.
Toyota Dealers will perform required rectification
FREE OF CHARGE to the vehicle owner.
Q5: What does the remedy involve?
A5: For all involved vehicles, Toyota Dealers will install additional support brackets at the Curtain Shield Air bags.
Q6: How long will the repair take?
A6: This repair will take approximately 2 hours. Depending upon the Dealer's work schedule, it may be necessary to make your vehicle available for a longer period of time.
Q7: What should an owner do?
A7: Owners should contact their preferred Toyota Dealer to arrange vehicle rectification at their earliest convenience.
Q8: Have there been any reports of accidents or injuries?
A8: There have been no reports received on this concern in the Australian market.
Q9: Are there any other Lexus/Toyota vehicles involved in this campaign in the Australian market?
A9: Yes. Lexus CT200h is also included as part of this campaign in the Australian market.
No other Toyota models other than tabled above are involved in this campaign.
Q10: What if an owner has additional questions or concerns?
A10: Owners with additional questions or concerns are asked to please contact their local Toyota Dealer in the first instance or the Toyota recall campaign helpline on 1800 987 366. Please quote your 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
For information on how to find the VIN position specific to your vehicle, please search "vehicle identification number" in the alphabetical index at the rear of your Owner's Manual.