DHAKA: Toyota Motor Corp is conducting a global recall of 2.87 million 4x4 vehicles because their rear seatbelts could be damaged in the event of a crash.

The world’s largest carmaker said in an email on Thursday that the lap-shoulder seatbelts in the vehicles’ second-row seats could come in contact with the metal seat cushion frame in a severe frontal accident.

‘There is a possibility that, in the event of a high-speed frontal collision, the seatbelt webbing could contact a portion of the metal seat cushion frame, become cut and separate,’ the statement said, reports Al Jazeera.

‘If this occurs, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the occupant, which could increase the risk of injury to the occupant.’

Toyota said the recall covered its RAV4 4x4 model made between July 2005 and August 2014, and the Vanguard 4X4 produced between October 2005 and January 2016, which are sold only in Japan.

The recall includes 1.33 million units in North America, 625,000 in Europe, 434,000 in China and 177,000 in Japan.

In Japan, another 109,000 cars were recalled due to problems linked to a fuel-suction plate causing a potential fire risk. The affected cars were made between October 2006 and October 2014.

Toyota said it has received two reports in North America, in which rear seatbelts separated following crashes, including one involving a fatal accident in Canada.

However, the carmaker said it could not determine whether the fatality or injury was linked to the defect.

BDST: 2102 HRS, FEB 18, 2016
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