Autos

Toyota recalls 50,220 SUVs for seat belt problem

Toyota is recalling an estimated 50,220 Highlander sport utility vehicles globally, most in the United States, for a software problem that could result in the front passenger seat belt not working properly.

The Japanese automaker said it was recalling the Highlander and Highlander hybrid SUVs from model year 2014 to update software in the air bag system that controls how the size of the front-seat passenger is read.

A company spokeswoman said the air bag electronic control unit's software is reading all passengers, regardless of their actual size, as small occupants.

That could result in the front passenger not being protected by the seat belt with the necessary force, possibly resulting in injury in a crash.


Photo: Jonathan K. Li | CNBC.com

No reports of accidents, injuries or deaths related to this issue have been received by Toyota.

The company will update the software in the air bag electronic control unit.

Of the recalled SUVs, about 45,500 were sold in the United States, about 3,400 in Canada, about 1,300 in Mexico and about 20 in Germany, the spokeswoman said on Friday.

On Thursday, Toyota recalled 466,000 vehicles globally, most in the United States, for possible faulty brakes and loss of a spare tire.