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Toyota Recalls 2008 Highlander for Third-Row Seat Fix

Date posted: 05-05-2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Toyota is recalling 90,189 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles equipped with a third-row seat to correct a faulty seatbelt component, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In its summary of the problem, the NHTSA said there is a concern that the seatbelt webbing could spool out during normal driving maneuvers, "which could affect the stability of a child restraint installed at those seating positions. As such, this could discourage the use of a child restraint, and in the event of a crash, the child may not be adequately protected, possibly resulting in injury."

The NHTSA said the automatic locking retractor on the seatbelts in the third row deactivates before the webbing is fully retracted, so that it will not lock when certain rear-facing child restraint systems that have a short seatbelt routing path are installed in the vehicle.

Toyota dealers will install a newly designed seatbelt component free of charge. The automaker has not yet provided the federal government with an owner notification schedule for the recall. Owners can contact Toyota at (800) 331-4331.

What this means to you: If you own one of the aforementioned Highlanders, better have it checked out ASAP with your dealer. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent

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Child safety seat belt problems force Toyota to recall 90,000 Highlanders

6th May 2008 By Staff Writer

Problems with seat belts attached to the child safety seats in Toyota Motor's Highlander and Highlander hybrid sport utility vehicles from the model year 2008 has forced the carmaker to recall almost 90,000 vehicles.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem was noticed with the locking mechanism of the seat belts in some of the rear-facing child safety seats, which can cause the seats to move.

The organization became aware of the problem during compliance testing on one type of two-piece rear-facing child safety seat. Toyota spokesperson Bill Kwong said that the problem has not caused any accidents.

"As such, this could discourage the use of a child restraint and in the event of a crash, the child may not be adequately protected, possibly resulting in injury," Reuters quoted the NHTSA as saying in a statement on its website.

The company will reportedly notify vehicle owners through letters of the recall in early June. Mr Kwong said that the component will be replaced free of charge.