Canada says finds possible Toyota vehicle defect after fatal crash

Toyota is recalling more than 98,000 RAV4 vehicles in Australia due to a flaw affecting rear seatbelts. The affected models are the 2006-2012 RAV4 and the 2012-2014 RAV4 EV.

Toyota is recalling around 2.9 million sport utility vehicles worldwide after rear seat belts separated in one fatal accident in Canada and during a crash that injured a passenger in the United States. If this occurs, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the occupant, which could increase the risk of injury.

The latest generation, in which the recall does not affect was Australia’s second highest selling medium SUV in 2015, with Toyota selling 18,435 units throughout the year.

Nearly 13,000 vehicles in New Zealand are affected by Toyota’s global recall, Toyota New Zealand says.

The company has not determined if any injuries or fatalities were linked to the problem.

The recall also tacks on to what is already one of Toyota’s biggest ever fix campaigns involving safety devices.

Toyota says it will advise affected owners to bring their vehicle to a Toyota dealer when the parts become available. The carmaker’s dealers will be responsible for covering the metal seat frame with the resin covers and the service will be done free of charge, according to Toyota.

The recall includes 1.3 million vehicles in North America which was announced earlier by Toyota’s USA unit, along with around 625,000 vehicles in Europe, 434,000 vehicles in China, 177,000 in Japan, and 307,000 in other regions.