If you have recently bought a Toyota, be warned the company is is recalling about 30,000 Sienna Minivans worldwide following claims that the 2015 models’ overhead assist grips can detach when an air bag deploys.
Toyota says the majority of the minivans are in the U.S., with 2,000 in Canada, 1,600 in Mexico, 130 in Korea and 18 Sienna minivans in Germany.
The automaker said the minivans are manufactured with second row overhead assist grips mounted on the left and right side of the roof rails. Toyota says a crash could cause the assist grips to detach from the mounting bracket when the curtain shield airbags deploy.
The grip was designed as a handhold for passengers entering and exiting the vehicle, and the side-curtain airbags are designed to provide head protection in a side-impact crash. Should the airbags deploy, the plastic grip could detach and “may contact an occupant,” the automaker said in a news release Wednesday afternoon.
Toyota says it’s not aware of any injuries or fatalities caused by the problem.Toyota doesn’t know when the recall will begin but said dealers will modify the headliner under the second row overhead assist grips.
Toyo knows of two crashes involving the malfunction.
The free recall involves about 175,310 SUV and van tires.
Owners of the 2015 Toyota Sienna minivan can contact Toyota customer service at 800-331-4331.
