The recall affects 2,259 units of the 8-seat Sienna
An incorrect guide could damage the belt in an accident
Customers will begin getting notified on January 16 2022
The Toyota Sienna was entirely reworked for 2021. Such a process often causes little defects to reach production without being noticed, and this is the case for this model.
Toyota is launching a recall because a problem with the outboard second row seatbelts in the 8 passenger versions of the Sienna.
Autoliv, a major safety equipment supplier for automakers, discovered that there has been a mix-up due to incorrectly labeled D-rings. This caused the wrong part to be installed in the seat belt guide of 2,259 Sienna models.
The D-rings are a directional part that guides the seatbelt when it its extended or retracted to make sure it doesn’t get stuck in the mechanism.
This is a problem because the low friction part of the ring is sitting upside down, which could tear the belt if the pre-tensioner activated during an accident, thus increasing the risk that the belt could snap and release the occupant, which is obviously very dangerous.
The affected vehicles are all from the 2022 model year, so some of them might not have reached their buyers yet.
Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified of the recall by mail starting on January 16 and they will be able to have their local Toyota dealer (who have already been informed of the issue) replace the seatbelt guides at no cost.
