2018-2019 Toyota Airbag Recall: Avalon, Sequoia & Tundra Safety Alert

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Affected Vehicles & Production Details

Note: This recall affects vehicles equipped with the advanced airbag system (all US-market models). Vehicles produced after September 2018 contain the corrected programming.

Understanding the Airbag Defect

The recall addresses a critical software flaw in the airbag electronic control unit (ECU) that could compromise vehicle safety systems.

Technical Failure Analysis

• Fault detection error: ECU may incorrectly identify sensor faults during startup
• System disablement: Crash sensors may be deactivated erroneously
• Impact scenarios: Side impacts most likely to be affected
• Regulatory non-compliance: Fails to meet FMVSS No. 208 requirements

Potential Safety Consequences

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\Non-deployment risk: Side/curtain airbags may fail to activate

• Frontal protection loss: Front/knee airbags could be disabled
• Increased injury potential: Higher risk in side-impact collisions
• No warning signs: System shows normal operation indicators

Toyota has confirmed three related field reports but no injuries attributed to this condition.

Toyota's Recall Repair Solution

Toyota has developed a comprehensive software update to address the ECU programming issue:

Service Procedure

• Diagnostic scan to confirm current ECU software version
• ECU reprogramming via Toyota TechStream system
• Verification test to confirm proper sensor operation
• Multi-point vehicle safety inspection

Repair Details

• Time required: Approximately 1 hour
• Cost: Fully covered by Toyota
• Loaner vehicles: Available upon request
• Parts needed: Software update only (no hardware replacement)
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Immediate Actions for Owners

1. Verify Your Vehicle's Status

Check recall involvement using:

• MotorVero's recall lookup tool
• Toyota's official recall website
• NHTSA recall database (Recall ID: 18V686000)

2. Pre-Repair Safety Recommendations

• Continue normal vehicle operation (Toyota has not issued stop-drive notice)
• Be extra cautious at intersections where side impacts are most common
• Ensure all passengers use seatbelts properly
• Monitor for any airbag warning lights (unrelated to this issue)

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  3. Schedule Prompt Service

Contact an authorized Toyota dealer upon receiving notification (mailings began late October 2018).

Recall Context: Toyota's Safety Response

This recall reflects Toyota's proactive approach to vehicle safety:

• Voluntary recall initiated before any reported injuries
• Comprehensive dealer training completed prior to owner notifications
• Software update developed and validated within 30 days of issue identification
• Global recall coordination (affects certain international markets)

All repairs include complimentary vehicle inspection and car wash at participating dealers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my airbags are disabled?

There are no warning indicators for this specific issue. The airbag warning light would only illuminate for other unrelated faults.

Can I still drive my vehicle before the repair?

Yes, Toyota has not recommended parking affected vehicles, but recommends scheduling the update promptly.

Does this affect all airbags in the vehicle?

The issue could potentially disable side/curtain airbags and/or front/knee airbags, but not necessarily all simultaneously.

Will the repair affect my vehicle's warranty?

No, the recall repair maintains your original warranty coverage and will not void any existing protections.

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Additional Resources

• Toyota Recall Hotline: 800-331-4331
• NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 888-327-4236
• MotorVero Recall Center: Complete Recall Database
• Toyota Owner's Portal: Official Recall Information

For ongoing recall updates, sign up for MotorVero's free recall notification service.

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