JAPAN: Toyota recalls 1.35m cars
28 January 2009 | Source: just-auto.com editorial team

Toyota Motor is recalling over 1.35m cars worldwide largely because of problems with seatbelts although some are being called back because for exhaust faults.

Around 525,000 Vitz (Yaris hatchback), Belta and Ractis vehicles made between January 2005 and April 2008 are being recalled in Japan.

Some 830,000 Vitz and Belta (Yaris sedan) vehicles sold in North America, Europe and other markets, have also been recalled.

The majority of recalls are linked to a seatbelt tensioner that may cause a fire in the case of a collision, the company said.

The problems with the exhausts are down to possible cracks appearing due to heat.

Earlier this month Toyota Motor Sales recalled about 214,500 Lexus vehicles sold in the United States.

 

Read:

"If you get into an accident, the safety equipment on your car designed to protect you... may catch fire"

Are seatbelts really that loud? I mean, when you put them on is it that noisy? In a car accident while your airbag is deploying and the tensioner kicks in I know a lot of people are thinking "Man... this accident sucks and this is about to hurt but wow - that seatbelt is LOUD!"

 

Seatbelt fire..... that's a first. I want to know what special kind of ***hole would ever dream up a noise inhibiting device on a seatbelt.

 

you do realize seat belt pre-tensioners are often small explosive type charges


and how many of these were recalled in the US? that figure isn't in the OP

 

Intersting...In that case how do they package enough fuel for the "charge" to last the life of the vehicle. No sarcasm. I am genuinely curious.

 

My BMW had to have them replaced after my fender bender and those suckers were expensive.

 

They use either sodium azide or nitrocellulose. Both are solid propellants.

Nitrocellulose's "other" name is "smokeless gunpowder".

 

With regards to the actual recall of a number of vehicles that equals 10% of last years produced volume...

A wise man once said, "Much easier to make 1 bowl of soup to suit 1 person, than to make 1000 pots of soup to suit 100,000 people."

It is much easier to concentrate on quality when you don't have to juggle time or quantity.

WELCOME to #1 Global Volume Producer Toyota!!!
Isn't it GREAT to be on top?!?!

PS - this simply makes Ford's reutation for the last 3-5 years look alll that much better IMO. GM bringing up a close 2nd, and Chrysler batting pinch.

Now... let's not take our eyes off Hyundai and Kia...

 

OK. Are these some new type of pretensioner? I guess I am familiar with the mechanical ones.

 

The system you are familiar with locks seatbelts in an accident. IIRC, a pre-tensioner system senses an accident and reduces slack in the seatbelt, pulling you into the seat.

 

worldwide or US?

 

No major media coverage...

(Of course)

A Tailgate cable breaks on a Silverado and it's front page stuff.

Toyota's kill people and no one says a word.

 

how many vehicles were recalled in the US?

 

Im going to assume the noise absorbing device is used to avoid that clicking sound you usually hear after fully extending the seatbelt. Then that device is probably flammable and too close to the pre-tensioner.

 

Globally.

From your thread, your post... https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...66&postcount=1

"General Motors fell behind Toyota as the world's largest automaker, selling 8.35 million vehicles globally last year compared to the Japanese giant's 8.97 million, sales figures showed Wednesday. "

1.35 (recalled this time from several years)/8.97 (total sold last year) = .015 - so it's actually closer to 15% than 10, but I was just doing head-math estimations in my first post, thinking 1MM/10MM = 10%.

How's bout them apples... Toyota is not in a good trend over the last 2-5 years IMO.