Toyota Highlander, Highlander Hybrid: Software

Date

May 22, 2014

Filed by

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Vehicles

Toyota Highlander (2014); Toyota Highlander Hybrid (2014)

Manufacturer of the vehicles

Toyota Motor Corporation

Component

Electrical System › Software; Seat Belts

Description of the defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles may have improper software installed in the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) for the operation of the front passenger seat belt force limiter, and as a result, the force limiter may use the restraint setting designed for small occupants, such as those that weigh approximately 110 pounds, for all occupants regardless of their size. As such, some of these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Potentially affected

48840

What can happen

In the event of a crash, a larger front passenger seat occupant may not be properly restrained and be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update in the air bag electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on June 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Recall notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Owner notification date

June 27, 2014

Recall type

V (vehicle)

FMVSS

208

Influenced by

MFR

Recall number

14V272000

What should I do? Car recall: how to check your car and get it fixed

Source: NHTSA · Vehicle record. View the agency notice. The agency notice governs; check it and the company before acting.