The problem
If the air bag computer in a subject vehicle experiences a mechanical shock (I.e., rapidly moving the front seat back against the stops or a sudden release of the parking brake) within a very short time after the engine is started, the air bag can deploy inadvertently.
The risk
Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
The fix
Dealers will repair the air bag computer.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 97V043001 (97V043001) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Component | Air bags |
| Report date | March 20, 1997 |
| Owners notified | April 7, 1997 |
| Vehicles affected | 61,202 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the air bags
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 97V043001 repair free?
Yes. Toyota dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will repair the air bag computer.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 61,202 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.