Toyota has alerted the NHTSA about a problem in certain 2013-2014 Toyota sedans, minivans, and pickup trucks equipped with seat heaters sold since August 2012. Dealers have been asked to stop selling the popular models because the fabric does not meet the U.S. safety standards for flammability.
Toyota discovered the issue when the seat fabric did not pass fire retardant tests conducted by the Korean Automotive Test and Research Institute, which uses the same standard as the NHTSA. Approximately 36,000vehicles are affected by this problem.
The automaker is using a new material to be installed at factories and in cars on dealer lots. As for vehicles already on the road, Toyota has reported the problem to the NHTSA, which will determine whether affected customer vehicles should be recalled.
The vehicles affected by this problem include:
- 2013-2014 Camry
- 2013-2014 Camry hybrid
- 2013-2014 Avalon
- 2013-2014 Avalon hybrid
- 2013-2014 Avalon subcompact
- 2013-2014 Sienna
- 2013-2014 Tundra
- 2013-2014 Tacoma
