Seat belts for non-driver seating positions have a feature for child seats where they will switch to an automatic locking retractor (ALR) when the belt is pulled all the way out. It will not switch back to emergency locking retractor (ELR) until the belt has been fully retracted. On two of the third row seating positions, the seat belt will switch back to an ELR mode before the belt webbing is fully retracted, which could affect the stability of a child restraint and increase the risk of personal injury. Dealers will install a newly designed seat belt component free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2008. The Toyota recall number is 80D.
This could be considered a medium priority recall; this would change to high if the third row seating positions are used for child seats. Please contact your Toyota dealer. They will check to see if your specific vehicle is affected and advise you on what to do next. Always have your vehicle identification number (VIN) handy when you call.
Body, Interior & Misc.
HOWEVER, FOR THE TWO THIRD ROW DSP'S ON THESE VEHICLES, THE ALR MODE DEACTIVATES BEFORE THE WEBBING IS FULLY RETRACTED, SO THAT IT WILL NOT LOCK WHEN CERTAIN REAR-FACING CRS'S THAT HAVE A SHORT SEAT BELT ROUTING PATH ARE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SEAT BELT WEBBING TO 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.