Toyota Australia Recalls Kluger Vehicles Due to Spiral Cable Assembly

October 11, 2023

oyota Australia has today announced that it will initiate a safety recall involving Kluger petrol and hybrid variants produced between March 2023 and July 2023 (inclusive). There are approximately 630 vehicles involved in the Australian market. Of the involved vehicles, approximately 300 have been delivered to customers, with the remainder to be rectified prior to new vehicle delivery.

For involved vehicles, the spiral cable assembly in the steering column may lose its electrical connection on the circuit controlling the driver’s airbag. If this occurs, the airbag warning light will illuminate, and the driver’s airbag may not deploy in a crash. As a result, the vehicle will not comply with certain local safety requirements and may increase the risk of injury to the driver in the event of a crash.

For all involved vehicles, Toyota dealers will inspect the serial number of the spiral cable and, if necessary, replace it with a new cable free of charge to vehicle owners.

Inspection of the cable will take approximately 30 minutes. If required, replacement of the cable will take approximately 1 hour 20 minutes; however, depending on the Dealer’s work schedule, owners may be required to make the vehicle available for a longer period of time.

Toyota Australia will provide all owners of involved vehicles details of this safety recall campaign by SMS, email and/or mail to their last known address. Customers are asked to keep their contact details up to date with Toyota so future communications can be received.

Customers with additional questions or concerns are asked to please contact their local/preferred Toyota Dealer in the first instance or the Toyota Recall Campaign Helpline on 1800 987 366 (Mon-Fri 8.00am-6.00pm AEDT). Please quote your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Q&A

Q1 Which and how many models are involved in Australia?
A1. There are approximately 630 Kluger petrol and hybrid vehicles involved in the Australian market.

Note:
1. Although the involved vehicles are within the above VIN ranges, not all vehicles in these VIN ranges were sold in the Australian market.
2. (#) indicates additional check digit (alpha or numeric).

Q2: What is the condition?
A2: The steering column assembly in the subject vehicles contains electrical connections to the driver’s airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to an insufficient weld condition of the FFC to the spiral cable’s bus bar, there is a possibility that the FFC can separate, resulting in one or more open circuits connected through the FFC. This separation could occur on the circuit that provides connectivity to the driver’s airbag module. If connectivity is lost, the SRS warning light will illuminate and the driver’s airbag could become deactivated, causing it to not deploy in the event of a crash of the type that would cause deployment. This could result in an increased risk of injury to the driver in a crash.

SQ. Are there any symptoms/warnings before this condition occurs?
A: No. However if the condition is present, the airbag warning light will illuminate. Additionally, in some instances the electrical controls on the steering wheel may not operate when buttons are pressed.

SQ2: Does this recall campaign relate to airbag inflator performance?
A2: This matter is specifically related to airbag spiral cables, there are no concerns with the deployment performance with the airbag inflators in these vehicles. The risk is the airbag not deploying.

Q3: What does the remedy involve?
A3: For all involved vehicles, Toyota dealers will inspect the serial number of the spiral cable and, if necessary, replace it with a new cable free of charge to vehicle owners.

Q4: How long will the remedy take?
A4: Inspection of the cable will take approximately 30 minutes. If required, replacement of the cable will take approximately 1 hour 20 minutes; however, depending on the Dealer’s work schedule, owners may be required to make the vehicle available for a longer period of time.

Q5: When will parts become available for these recall repairs?

A5: We are currently confirming parts availability with suppliers. At this stage, we expect most parts will become available in approximately end of November 2023.

Q6: Can I continue to drive my vehicle?
A6: Yes, you can continue to drive your vehicle; however, should your airbag malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminate, please contact their local Toyota Dealer in the first instance or the Toyota Recall Campaign Helpline on 1800 987 366 (Mon-Fri 8.00am-6.00pm AEDT).

Q7: Does this condition affect other Toyota models?
A7: Only models mentioned in the VIN range in the table at question 1 are involved in the Australian market

Q8: My vehicle is in the affected production range. What should I do?
A8: Please contact your closest/preferred Toyota dealer to verify if your vehicle is affected. Owners with additional questions or concerns are asked to please contact their local Toyota Dealer in the first instance or the Toyota Recall Campaign Helpline.

Q9: Where can I find my VIN?
A9: VIN number location varies by model. For information on how to find the VIN position specific to your vehicle, please search “vehicle identification number” in the alphabetical index at the rear of your Owner’s Manual.