Toyota Recall Affects Over 1 Million 2020-2022 Models Due to Sensor Issue

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Toyota’s recent recall announcement, impacting approximately one million Toyota and Lexus vehicles from the 2020 to 2022 model years, highlights a significant concern. This Toyota recall is centered around a critical issue with the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor in the front passenger seat. Identified manufacturing defects in the sensor could lead to potential short-circuiting, raising serious concerns about the airbag’s functionality in specific collision scenarios.

The affected models encompass a broad range of popular vehicles. From the Toyota lineup, this includes the 2020-2021 versions of the Avalon and Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid, the 2021 Sienna Hybrid, and the 2020-2022 models of the Camry and Camry Hybrid. The Lexus brand is also impacted, with the recall extending to the 2021 Lexus ES250, the 2020-2021 ES350, RX350, RX350H, and the 2020-2022 ES300H.

The core concern in the Toyota recall relates to the functionality of the OCS sensors. These sensors are crucial in determining whether the passenger seat is occupied, based largely on the seat’s weight. A malfunction in this sensor, as identified in the recall, could lead to the airbag failing to deploy during an accident, thereby posing a significant risk to passenger safety.

Toyota has committed to rectifying this problem without any cost to vehicle owners. Dealerships are prepared to inspect the OCS sensors in the recalled models and will proceed to replace them if they are found to be defective. This recall process is expected to commence in earnest, with Toyota planning to notify affected owners by mid-February 2024. In the interim, concerned owners can proactively check if their vehicle is included in this recall by visiting the official Toyota or Lexus recall websites.

This recall by Toyota and Lexus is an action taken in response to identified issues with vehicle safety and reliability. The decision to address the sensor problem is a part of the automakers’ standard operational procedures to ensure compliance with automotive safety standards and to manage consumer expectations regarding their products.