The problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles. During a vehicle repair, the seat belt inner buckles may have been replaced with parts that may incorrectly tell the air bag management system that the seat belt is always buckled.
The risk
If the seat belt is falsely interpreted as being buckled, in the event of a crash, the air bags may not deploy appropriately, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the seat belt assembly to verify that it is properly detecting being unbuckled, replacing the inner seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0S.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 18V-569 (18V569000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | J0S |
| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Component | Seat belts |
| Report date | August 29, 2018 |
| Owners notified | September 19, 2018 |
| Vehicles affected | 19,354 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the seat belts
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 18V-569 repair free?
Yes. Toyota dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the seat belt assembly to verify that it is properly detecting being unbuckled, replacing the inner seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2018.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 19,354 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.