NHTSA Complaint #10175112 — 2007 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR AT REST AND ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ILLUMINATED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED WHEN THE REAR SEAT WAS FOLDED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TOUCHED THE REAR SEAT, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG BECOMES DEACTIVATED. THE OWNER MANUAL ALSO INDICATED IN PAGE 92 OF THIS CHARACTERISTIC. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS THE WAY THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED WHEN THE SPACE WAS REQUIRED FOR CARGO INSTEAD OF FOLDING THE REAR SEAT, IT SHOULD BE REMOVED OR THE FRONT SEAT SHOULD BE PULLED FORWARD TO AVOID CONTACT WITH THE REAR SEAT, HOWEVER THIS SUGGESTION WAS NOT PRACTICAL BECAUSE IT MADE THE PASSENGER VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS AIR BAG DEFECT. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - *NM