Toyota RAV4 seatbelt failure results in recall

Toyota Australia has announced a recall of 98,000 RAV4s due to potentially life-threatening issues with seatbelts.

While there have been no injuries in Australia as a result of this issue, Toyota said it’s a possibility the webbing of the seatbelts in the RAV4’s second row could break during some high speed collisions, due to contact with a metal part of the seat.

Toyota Australia said: “The potential for this condition can only occur during high speed frontal collisions. Toyota always recommends drivers operate their vehicles carefully and safely to minimise the potential for vehicle accidents.”

Affected vehicles – RAV4s built between August 2005 and November 2012 – will need to be taken back to a Toyota dealer where they will add a resin protection cover to the metal frames. The free repairs will take approximately one hour, but due to the number of vehicles impacted, recall repairs won’t be available until June 2016.

Toyota Australia said a letter will be sent to all owners to notify them of the issue, and another when the parts become available.

As the fault occurs in the second row, those travelling with passengers, particularly children, should take extra care until the recall is complete.