TNL embarks on proactive measure over Hilux, Yaris recall

Toyota Nigeria Limited said it is taking proactive measures at the local front to address the recent global recall affecting the Yaris models produced between 2003-2005 and Hilux Pick-up truck produced between 2003-2007 respectively.

Kunle Ade-Ojo, managing director, Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) said last Monday the recall was in demonstration of the 18-year old franchisee’s quest to serve its fleet, institutional, corporate and individual customers better as a market leader in the country.

The recall had to do with the possibility that the airbags of some of these two models produced between 2003 and 2007 not actively deploy in the event of a crash. This he said is traceable to defective inflator module that may not activate the safety airbags due to accumulation of moisture inside the inflator module, thereby causing abnormal deployment.

Describing the steps taken to invite affected owners of the affected models of Hilux and Yaris to rectify and fix  the concerned models free of charge as not a panic measure, Kunle Ade-Ojo maintained pointed out that the precautionary steps affects other countries that imports and distributes Toyota brand like Nigeria. He said TNL has concluded plans to issue notices to affected owners to bring back such vehicles with matching vehicle identification number for inspection and necessary action.

According to Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan, the Hilux, Nigeria’s top-selling ute, is being recalled for a spiral cable that could become damaged by turning the wheel leading in turn the failure of the driver’s airbag to deploy in an accident.

For the Toyota Yaris, drivers could find themselves sliding into the steering wheel. A spring locking the driver’s seat track in position may break if the seat is moved frequently. Toyota said if the vehicle is “driven with a broken seat track spring, the seat could move in the event of an accident and may increase the risk of injury”.

Affected customers will be notified of the recall by mail at their last known address and asked to make an appointment at an authorised Toyota dealer to have the spiral cable assembly replaced. It may also affect the front passenger seat. The latest Toyota recall is one of the biggest campaigns in recent times globally. BusinessDay gathered from TMC Japan statement that notices will not commence until late July 2015 depending on market.