Toyota Recalls Certain 2016 Prius Vehicles Due to Airbag Problem

Toyota issued a voluntary recall on approximately 7,600 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles due to a potential airbag problem.

About the 2016 Toyota Prius Recall

According to Edmunds, the recalled vehicles contain airbag assemblies that may have been welded and/or assembled improperly. The stored gas may escape without a deployment signal, or the airbag may partially inflate if the airbag assembly is defective.

This issue has been found in cars that have been parked or unoccupied for a period of time. Airbags that deploy without reason or partially inflate can cause crashes and increase the risk of injury.

Takata is not the airbag supplier, reports Edmunds.

Toyota is not aware of any crashes or injuries regarding the airbag assembly defect in the recalled vehicles. Dealers will replace the assembly at no cost to the owner when the recall begins in November, according to Toyota.

2016 Prius owners are advised to wait for their official recall notice and schedule an appointment with their dealer.

NHTSA Airbag Statistics

The following information is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

• Based on data from the U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), during 2001-2006, there were 1,400 deaths that occurred in frontal crashes in which airbags failed to deploy.
• The FARS reports that airbags failed to deploy in 18 percent of fatal frontal collisions reported between 1998 and 2006.
• Between 1991 and 2001, approximately 8,000 lives were saved by air bags (NHTSA).