Toyotas Recalled Over Spider-Related Issue

Published on October 21, 2013 in Recalls by Danny Geraghty
2013 Toyota Avalon

Toyota is recalling over 870,000 vehicles due to concerns that under the right conditions, airbags could be unintentionally deployed.

In some cases, spider webs in the air conditioning condenser drainage tube can create a blockage, causing water to spill onto an airbag control module. Water on the circuit boards would then create a short circuit and either illuminate the airbag warning light or even deploy the airbag.

Loss of power steering force could also occur.

Models affected include the 2012 and 2013 Camry, Venza and Avalon.

There have been 35 known cases of the airbag light coming on and three cased where the airbag has deployed. Spider webs were the likely cause in each of the events.