I don't know this has been discussed earlier at PW or not but i am posting again for the benefit of PW members/general public.
Toyota had recalled 1.3 Million toyota vitz/belta worldwide in 2009 due to potential issue in the seat belt retractors.In the case of a collision there is a risk of fire.This is for cars manufactured from 22nd August 2005 through 6th April 2007.There is a cause of concern for the pakistani vitz owners as vehicles imported to pakistan in that time period were not recalled.Please note that the recall was done in 2009 and in Pakistan people may be using the vehicles which were not recalled and rectified by Toyota.Below is the summary of issue and related links:
1. 2007 TOYOTA YARIS Recall - Recall ID 94365
2.2007 Toyota Yaris Recalls & Problems
3.
Toyota Yaris Recall Information - Toyota Recalls & Problems
4.http://www.worldcarfans.com/109012916621/toyota-to-recall-more-than-135-million-cars-worldwide
5.http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/090129-Recall-Alert-Toyota-Yaris/
Summary:
<TABLE class=stripe border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=alt vAlign=top mergeNum="0"><TD class=rowlabel width="28%">NHTSA Campaign Number:</TD><TD width="72%">09V031000 </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rowlabel>Vehicle/Equipment Make:</TD><TD>TOYOTA </TD></TR><TR class=alt vAlign=top mergeNum="0"><TD class=rowlabel>Vehicle/Eqipment Model:</TD><TD>YARIS </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rowlabel>Model Year:</TD><TD>2007 </TD></TR><TR class=alt vAlign=top mergeNum="0"><TD class=rowlabel>Mfg Campaign Number:</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rowlabel>Mfg Component Desc:</TD><TD>SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR </TD></TR><TR class=alt vAlign=top mergeNum="0"><TD class=rowlabel>Mfg Involved in Recall:</TD><TD>TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rowlabel>Manufacture Dates:</TD><TD>08-22-05 through 04-06-07 </TD></TR><TR class=alt vAlign=top mergeNum="0"><TD class=rowlabel>Type of Report:</TD><TD>(V) Vehicle </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rowlabel>Potential # of Units Affected:</TD><TD>134,895 </TD></TR><TR class=alt vAlign=top mergeNum="0"><TD class=rowlabel>Date Owner Notified by Mfg:</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rowlabel>Recall Initiated By:</TD><TD>MFR </TD></TR><TR class=alt vAlign=top mergeNum="0"><TD class=rowlabel>Mfg Responsible for Recall:</TD><TD>TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rowlabel>Report Recieved Date:</TD><TD>01-29-09 </TD></TR><TR class=alt vAlign=top mergeNum="0"><TD class=rowlabel>Record Creation Date:</TD><TD>01-29-09 </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rowlabel>Regulation Part Number:</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=alt vAlign=top mergeNum="0"><TD class=rowlabel>FMVSS Number:</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rowlabel>Defect Summary:</TD><TD>TOYOTA IS RECALLING 134,895 MY 2006-2007 YARIS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO BE ACTIVATED IN RESPONSE TO A SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT. WHEN THE SENSOR DETECTS A SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE QUICKLY DRAWN BACK BY THE RETRACTORS SO THAT THE BELTS SNUGLY RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES CONTAIN A CENTER PILLAR SOUND INSULATOR LOCATED UNDERNEATH EACH FRONT SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER. </TD></TR><TR class=alt vAlign=top mergeNum="0"><TD class=rowlabel>Consequence Summary:</TD><TD>IN THE EVENT OF SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DEPLOYMENT, THE GAS GENERATED MAY AFFECT THE SOUND INSULATORS. IN THE WORST CASE, IF THE SOUND INSULATORS IGNITE, THIS CONDITION WILL RESULT IN A POST-COLLISION FIRE. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Here is the news story:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28891251/ns/business-autos/t/toyota-recall-over-million-cars-worldwide/
TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp said it would recall more than 1.35 million Vitz and two other models globally to fix a defect in the seatbelt, a component in the exhaust system or both.
Subject to the recall in Japan are 525,898 Vitz, Belta and Ractis cars built from January 2005 to April 2008, Toyota said in a filing with the transport ministry.
Toyota also said it will recall a combined 830,000 units of the Vitz subcompact and Belta — called Yaris in many markets, including the United States — exported to Europe, North America and other countries.
One case of fire was reported in Japan due to the faulty seatbelt design, which could cause a noise-absorber device to melt when the seatbelt tensioner is activated in a collision, Toyota said.
