Toyota is issuing a recall of 145,254 vehicles in the US due to potential issues with side curtain airbags, as reported by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Wednesday. These airbags are designed to deploy during a crash to create a protective barrier that helps prevent occupants from being ejected from the vehicle.
According to the NHTSA, certain Toyota vehicles may experience a malfunction where the driver’s side curtain airbag does not deploy correctly. Specifically, it may fail to unroll properly and could partially deploy outside of an open window during a collision.
The recall impacts specific 2024 models including SUVs and hybrids such as the Toyota Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, as well as the Lexus TX350, TX500 Hybrid, and TX550 Hybrid+ vehicles. The NHTSA has indicated that a remedy for this issue is currently under development, and Toyota will be notifying affected vehicle owners accordingly.
In a separate development, Toyota recently announced a temporary suspension of operations on six production lines across five of its plants in Japan. This halt is attributed to a shortage of essential parts.
The decision to pause these production lines highlights the ongoing challenges faced by global automakers in maintaining smooth supply chains and consistent manufacturing output. Parts shortages have become an increasingly common issue in the automotive industry, often leading to production disruptions and potential delays in vehicle deliveries.
Toyota’s spokesperson indicated that the company will reassess the situation to determine whether conditions are favourable for resuming production on these affected lines. This approach demonstrates Toyota’s flexible response to supply chain issues, allowing for quick adjustments based on parts availability.
The temporary shutdown affects multiple plants within Toyota’s domestic production network in Japan, underscoring the interconnected nature of modern automotive manufacturing. Even localised supply issues can have ripple effects across multiple facilities.