Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of the Prius in India as a part of the global recall. The recall affects 170 units of the Prius manufactured between November 2009 and April 2012 for an airbag issue and those manufactured between November 2009 and October 2014 for an issue with its emissions control units, a Toyota Kirloskar Motor spokesperson told Autocar India in reply to an email query.
Toyota had first introduced the Prius in India in 2010 followed by an update in 2012.
The carmaker had decided to initiate a voluntary recall starting June 29th, 2016 for the inspection and installation of retention brackets on the curtain shield airbag inflators as well as inspection and replacement of fuel suction plate sub-assembly, according to the company statement.
Globally, it was discovered that some airbag inflators on the driver and passenger side roof rails could have a crack in a weld, causing it to separate when it operates. This means that the airbag wouldn't fully inflate and parts of the inflator can be ejected with the airbag. It was also discovered that that the fuel emissions control unit canister, which is mounted to the fuel tank, may develop cracks that could expand and eventually lead to a fuel leak.
On June 28, 2016, Toyota announced a global recall of around 1.4 million units of the Prius and Lexus CT200h models manufactured between 2010 and 2012 due to concerns over the airbag inflator mechanism and fuel emissions control units.
According to Toyota, there have been no reports of any injuries or failures of the affected part in India. Company dealers will inform the concerned customers in due course, the carmaker said, adding that owners can also contact the nearest dealer or for any query or assistance.
Also read: New Toyota Prius shown at Auto Expo 2016