Toyota Recalls 57,000 Avalon, Prius Vehicles For Fire Risk, Airbag Deployment Issues
The Detroit News reports that Toyota will recall 52,000 model year 2011 and 2012 Avalon vehicles in the United States.
Officials with Toyota say the recall was initiated because cargo in the trunk can come into contact with the vehicle’s audio system subwoofer and move wires out of position. If one of the wires contacts the metal frame of the subwoofer, it could result in an intermittent short-circuit, leading to the subwoofer overheating and starting a fire.
Toyota dealers have been instructed to disconnect the rear subwoofer as a precaution until a remedy is available.
The Detroit News also reports that Toyota recalled 5,000 model year 2014 to 2015 Prius V hybrids because of issues with the front passenger airbag.
The company says the vehicles are equipped with an occupant classification system, which activates and deactivates the passenger seat airbag system depending on the weight of the occupant.
However, some of the recalled Prius vehicles may not have been calibrated properly, meaning that under some conditions the passenger airbag may not deploy in the event of a crash even if a person is in the seat.
Dealers will recalibrate the system to fix the issue.
Toyota says it is unaware of any injuries or fatalities related to either recall.
Toyota recalls 52,000 Avalons for fire risks [The Detroit News]
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