The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The statement required in the owner's manual that "...the on-off switch should only ben used when a member of a passenger risk group identified in the request form in appendix b......is occupying the right front passenger seating position..." is mis-stated. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS 208, "occupant crash protection."
The risk
If the air bag switch is "off," the seat occupant who is not a member of the passenger risk group would be subject to increased injury in the event of a vehicle crash.
The fix
Owners will be sent a corrected owner's manual.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 98V-188 (98V188000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Component | Air bags › On-off switch assembly |
| Report date | August 6, 1998 |
| Owners notified | November 16, 1998 |
| Vehicles affected | 84,323 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the air bags
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 98V-188 repair free?
Yes. Toyota dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Owners will be sent a corrected owner's manual.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 84,323 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.