Toyota recalls 2.87 million SUVs after Transport Canada discovers rear seatbelt defect

Toyota has announced a worldwide recall after Canada’s main transport agency, Transport Canada, found an issue with rear seatbelts.

Transport Canada research engineers and investigators have uncovered a potentially dangerous defect in 2006 to 2012 Toyota RAV4 models.

In a severe frontal crash, contact with the steel structure in the seat may cause the rear seat belt to be cut.

Nearly 150,000 RAV4s in Canada are being immediately recalled by Toyota to address the issue. The model years affected span from 2006 to 2012.

The department found the problem after reconstructing a fatal crash involving a 2011 RAV4 in Canada. The case attracted the department’s interest as the front occupants survived the frontal crash, while the rear passengers didn’t.

The replicated crash used a RAV4, crash dummies similar in weight to the actual passengers, as well as an impact speed and crash angle that aligned with the fatal crash.

During the test, both rear seatbelts severed and both crash dummies sustained potentially deadly injuries.

Transport Canada presented its findings to Toyota immediately once its investigation was complete. Toyota subsequently investigated, confirmed the problem, launched a recall yesterday, and will install seat flange covers to correct the seatbelt defect.

It is estimated that over 2.7 million RAV4s may be affected globally by this issue.

Transport Canada will monitor this recall to ensure Toyota addresses the issue as quickly as possible.

Affected owners are asked to contact their Toyota dealers to schedule a time to have the defect repair work completed.

Agencies/Canadajournal