Toyota announced it is conducting a safety recall on many models that have an ineffective electronic control unit [ECU]. The ECU sensor picks up on signals in certain crash conditions to deploy airbags and lock seat belts.
An estimated 2.9 million U.S. vehicles will be affected.
The recall states:
"The ECU [electronic control unit] may not have adequate protection against certain electrical noise that can occur in certain crashes, such as severe underride crashes. This can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of seat belt pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash."
The recall includes 2011-2019 Model Year Corolla, 2011-2013 Model Year Matrix, 2012-2018 Model Year Avalon and 2013-2018 Model Year Avalon Hybrid vehicles.
Toyota dealers are offering free installations of a noise filter that will help protect the electronic control unit in those severe crashes.
Toyota plans to notify owners of impacted vehicles by mail in mid-March. Meantime, you can see if your vehicle is recalled by visiting nhtsa.gov/recalls and providing your license plate number or VIN.
This recall comes one week after Toyota recalled certain Lexus models, and that impacted more than 600,000 cars. Those models contain faulty fuel pumps that could cause engines to stall.
»MORE: Toyota recalls nearly 700K vehicles to fix faulty fuel pumps
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