Front assembly: seat heater/coolerRecall 16V-396 · Toyota vehicles
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC recall 16V-396 covers 7,749 Toyota vehicles for a front assembly: seat heater/cooler problem, reported to NHTSA on June 2, 2016. The manufacturer's latest report (2017 Q4) shows 24% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 16V396000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by the manufacturer.
The problem
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
The risk
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fast cars are being fixed
24%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. 240 vehicles were listed as unreachable.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from December 5, 1987 to January 27, 2012. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.