Toyota announced the recall of 119,000 Avalon Sedans after discovering electrical problems in airbag deployment.
The automaker said the recall was restricted to Avalon Sedans manufactured in 2003-2004. Damage to electrical circuits controlling airbags could result in unpredictable deployment that could startle drivers and cause accidents, USA Today reported. According to the report, the circuits could sustain damage when exposed to other electrical components.
Detroit News reported the company was also recalling about 5,000 cars outside the US believed to have the same problem. It further said the recall was announced though no fatalities or crashes were reported due to faulty deployment.
"Certain circuits within the airbag control module may be susceptible to damage if exposed to electrical noise from other electrical components and the front airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners could inadvertently deploy," Auto Talk said quoting Toyota.
USA Today said the pre-tensioners tighten seat belts during a crash to shield the passengers from the explosive deployment of the airbag. Once the airbags have been deployed, the seat belts are eased to allow passengers to cushion out the impact of the crash.
"Dealers will fix the problem by adding what are called electrical noise filters to the airbag control modules," reported USA Today quoting Toyota.
Detroit News recounted Toyota's recall of 1 million vehicles across different makes last January, in order to rectify the same problem the Avalons are now experiencing. It was reported then that 31 injuries owing to 72 incidents of deployment were reported from vehicle owners in the US.
It also said Chrysler faced the same problem and recalled vehicles.
"Chrysler Group LLC recalled 920,000 2002-2004 Jeep SUVs and Dodge Vipers for a similar problem after NHTSA found reports of 215 frontal airbag deployments resulting in 71 injuries - cuts, burns and bruises - but no crashes or deaths," Detroit News reported.
