2016 Toyota Prius Recalled for Airbag Issue
Certain 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles are being recalled to address an issue with their airbags.
Not related to the ongoing massive Takata airbag recall, this issue affects approximately 7,600 units in the U.S. and involves a component in the airbag assembly that may have been improperly welded and/or misassembled.
According to the Japanese automaker, the front passenger airbag contains stored, compressed gas in the inflator and if the assembly has been improperly welded or misassembled, the stored gas may escape without a deployment signal and result in the partial inflation of the airbag.
The condition has been observed when the vehicle is parked and unoccupied for a period of time. If the airbag inflates in this manner, it can under some circumstances, increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a crash.
SEE ALSO: 2016 Toyota Prius Review
All affected owners will be notified by first class mail starting November, Toyota has announced. The automaker’s dealers will replace the front passenger airbag assembly with a new one free of charge.
Discuss this story on our Toyota Prius Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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not even a Takata related airbag issue?