Toyota recalls 35,000 UK vehicles

Japanese carmakers, Toyota, have issued a range of recalls which affect millions of vehicles worldwide, 35,000 of which are in the UK. The UK recall comes after Toyota found three issues with it's vehicles. These are the RAV4, Hilux, Yaris and Urban Cruiser models. There have been no reports worldwide of any accidents, injuries or fatalities linked to the issues Toyota has discovered.

Vehicle owners will be contacted by Toyota within the coming weeks by post or telephone and asked to make an appointment to bring their car to their nearest Toyota dealership, in accordance with DVSA guidelines.

Toyota recall number 1

This recall comes as the weld which connects the steering column bracket to the instrument panel on some Yaris and Urban Cruiser models might break when the steering wheel is repeatedly turned with full force. The driver may hear an abnormal noise from the bracket area and if the vehicle continues to be driven, it is possible that the bracket will fail, causing the steering column to tilt out of position. However, the driver will not lose steering control.

The vehicles subject to this recall are second generation Yaris with tilt/telescopic steering wheel adjustment and Urban Cruiser models built within the period September 2005 to February 2009. In total this covers 1,293 UK registered models.

All the vehicles affected by this issue are being recalled so that the bracket can be inspected. If no damage is found, an extra bracket will be fitted to avoid any problems occurring in future. If there is evidence of damage, replacement instrument panel reinforcement will be fitted. According to the action required, the job will take between two and a half hours to four and a half hours to complete. All work will be carried out free of charge.

Toyota recall number 2

This recall comes as an airbag problem has been detected in the RAV4 and Hilux models. Toyota has identified a possible issue affecting the spiral cable assembly in the airbag module. Due to the shape and location of a retainer for the Flexible Flat Cable in the airbag unit, there may be a risk when the steering wheel its turned, of damage to certain circuits that provide connectivity to the airbag. If connectivity is lost, the airbag warning light will illuminate on the instrument panel and the driver's airbag may be deactivated.

The vehicles subjected to this recall are RAV4 and Hilux models manufactured within the period of June 2004 and December 2010. In total that covers around 24,785 UK registered models, with the number spilt almost equally between the two.

All vehicles affected by this issue are being recalled so that an improved spiral cable can be fitted free of charge. The installation will take about an hour to complete and the work will be carried out free of charge.

Toyota recall number 3

This recall comes as the spring in the mechanism that locks the driver and some front passenger seats in position on the seat adjustment rail may be under strength and could break, should the seats be frequently moved back and forward. Should the spring break, the seat may not lock into it's adjusted position and could move in the vent of a crash.

The vehicles affected were built between January 2005 and August 2010. In total this covers around 10,339 UK registered cars.

All vehicles affected by this issue are being recalled for inspection of the springs and, where required, replacement with new ones. The job will take between 40 and 90 minutes per seat, depending on the model and the work will be carried out free of charge.

We'll keep you updated on any more recalls from Toyota or any other manufacturer as they are announced.