The defect
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
The risk
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
The remedy
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
Components: SEATS | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota 4Runner | 2009 | 22 | 6 |
| Toyota 4Runner | 2010 | 147 | 12 |
| Toyota 4Runner | 2011 | 163 | 10 |
| Toyota 4Runner | 2012 | 96 | 8 |
| Toyota Avalon | 2009 | 91 | 7 |
| Toyota Avalon | 2010 | 46 | 7 |
| Toyota Camry | 2009 | 1,293 | 10 |
| Toyota Camry | 2010 | 604 | 9 |
| Toyota Camry | 2011 | 601 | 5 |
| Toyota Camry | 2012 | 590 | 2 |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | 2009 | 118 | 4 |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | 2010 | 10 | 2 |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | 2011 | 23 | 2 |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | 2012 | 55 | 1 |
| Toyota Corolla | 2010 | 1,244 | 17 |
| Toyota Corolla | 2011 | 584 | 9 |
| Toyota Corolla | 2012 | 446 | 5 |
| Toyota Corolla | 2013 | 201 | 5 |
| Toyota FJ Cruiser | 2009 | 7 | 10 |
| Toyota FJ Cruiser | 2010 | 66 | 10 |
| Toyota Highlander | 2009 | 134 | 9 |
| Toyota Highlander | 2010 | 216 | 10 |
| Toyota Highlander | 2011 | 181 | 5 |
| Toyota Highlander | 2012 | 182 | 2 |
| Toyota Highlander | 2013 | 207 | 3 |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 2009 | 40 | 4 |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 2010 | 22 | 4 |
| Toyota Prius | 2009 | 502 | 6 |
| Toyota Prius | 2010 | 2,823 | 10 |
| Toyota Prius | 2011 | 521 | 6 |
Other seats recalls in 2013
19 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the seats; Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC filed 26 campaigns in all.
| 13V536000 30 Oct 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V539000 30 Oct 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V537000 30 Oct 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V488000 17 Oct 2013 | General Motors LLC |
| 13V504000 17 Oct 2013 | A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. |
| 13V502000 17 Oct 2013 | Porsche Cars North America, Inc. |
| 13V440000 18 Sept 2013 | Lion Bus Inc. |
| 13V397000 3 Sept 2013 | Navistar, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013