Toyota and Lexus are recalling 40,922 vehicles due to concerns over potentially damaged second-row center seat belt issues. The issue occurred during the manufacturing process and could cause the seatbelts to perform poorly, leading to an increased risk of injuries or fatalities during a crash.
The recalls cover the following impacted models:
- 2025 Toyota Camry
- 2025 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350h
- 2024-2025 Lexus RX350, RX350h, and RX500h
Toyota estimates that less than 0.1% of the affected vehicles have damaged seat belts, although the recall impacts a significant number of cars. The Toyota Camry is the most affected vehicle, with 32,529 recalled, followed by 3,242 Lexus RX350 vehicles.
The problem was discovered during a routine inspection of parts where a “melt mark” was found on the seat belt webbing. This discovery led to a thorough investigation into the seat belt manufacturing process conducted by Joyson Safety Systems, the part supplier. According to the findings, incorrect tooling was used during the “hot-knife cutting process,” causing damage to the seat belt webbing.
Seat belts are one of the most essential safety features in any vehicle, and they are designed to reduce the likelihood of injury or death in the event of a crash. The damage compromises the integrity and strength of the second-row center seat belts, which ultimately fails to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
Owners of impacted vehicles will receive notifications in late March or early April. Dealerships will then inspect the seat belts, and as required by federal law, any damaged parts will be replaced free of charge.
