The defect
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LEXUS LINK SYSTEM, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO LOCK ONE OF THE TWO LATCHES ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MIDDLE ROW LEFT REAR SEAT (LARGER SIDE OF THE BENCH SEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER). DUE TO THE THICKNESS OF THE LEXUS LINK SYSTEM STORAGE CASE, THE STOPPER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS SLIGHTLY ELEVATED. THIS ELEVATED POSITION MISALIGNS THE LATCH TO THE STRIKER.
The risk
IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED WITH ONLY ONE LATCH LOCKED, THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT MAY BE IMPROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE LLS CASE PANELS AROUND THE SEAT STOPPER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 8, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Lexus GX470 | 2003 |
Components: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus GX470 | 2003 | 46 | 2 |
Other seats recalls in 2003
15 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the seats; TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. filed 95 campaigns in all.
| 03V530000 12 Dec 2003 | ACCUBUILT, INC. |
| 03V514000 10 Dec 2003 | SAAB CARS USA, INC. |
| 03V459000 6 Nov 2003 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 03V402000 16 Oct 2003 | MID BUS CORPORATION |
| 03V364000 8 Oct 2003 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 03V346000 29 Sept 2003 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 03V345000 15 Sept 2003 | FERRARI NORTH AMERICA |
| 03V281000 5 Aug 2003 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003