The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·16V396000·Announced 2016-06-02

Toyota Vehicles Recalled for Aftermarket Seat Heater Fire Risk

Southeast Toyota Distributors is recalling specific Toyota vehicles equipped with aftermarket seat heaters due to a risk of electrical short circuits and fire.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk of fire from a short circuit in the vehicle's electrical system. Per the rubric, this is classified as High (3) because it is a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain Toyota vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters that use a copper strand heating element. The affected vehicles include 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna; 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra; 2006-2008 Camry Solara; 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid; 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma; 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser; 2007-2011 Camry hybrid; 2009-2010 Venza; 2010-2012 Prius; 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry; and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla models.

The electrical wiring in these specific aftermarket seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed. If the wiring is damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, which increases the risk of a fire.

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters free of charge and refund the purchase price of the accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA, SEQUOIA, TACOMA, TUNDRA
Brand
TOYOTA
Manufacturer
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Category
Vehicle — Aftermarket Accessory
Hazard
Affected units
7,749

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (14)

  • CAMRY SOLARA
  • SEQUOIA
  • TACOMA
  • TUNDRA
  • CAMRY
  • AVALON
  • SIENNA
  • 4RUNNER
  • RAV4
  • HIGHLANDER
  • FJ CRUISER
  • COROLLA
  • VENZA
  • PRIUS

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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