Toyota recalls 2.9M SUVs for possible seat belt failure

Around 50% of the 2.87 million vehicles that are covered by the recall are in North America, which happens to be the company’s top market.

The auto maker has been unable to confirm if the fatality or injury are connected with the defect prompting its recall of RAV4, RAV4 EV and Vanguard SUV models, spokeswoman Kayo Doi said in an e-mail.

The recall involved Toyota’s RAV4 sports utility vehicle made between July 2005 and August 2014 and between October 2005 and January 2016.

“If this occurs, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the occupant, which could increase the risk of injury”, it added.

Toyota sells about one million cars a year in Europe, with around 10% of those in the UK.

Nearly 100,000 of Australia’s best-selling SUV, the Toyota RAV4, is being recalled because the rear seatbelts may fail in a crash.

Dealers will install resin covers for rear metal seat frames at no cost to customers.

“There is a possibility that, in the event of a high-speed frontal collision, the seat belt webbing could contact a portion of the metal seat cushion frame, become cut and separate”, according to the statement.

Toyota Australia has announced the recall of close to 98,000 RAV4 vehicles after an issue was detected with their seatbelts. Mitsubishi Motors gained 3.1%.