Toyota HI LUX, RAV4 Recall R/2014/048: Drivers Airbag May Not Function, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 22 Apr 2014
- Launched
- 26,210
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2014/048
- DVSA reference
Toyota recalled HI LUX, RAV4 vehicles built between 18 February 2005 and 12 April 2010. The steering column assembly in affected vehicles contains electrical connections to the driver's air bag module housed in a spiral cable assembly which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). The dealer will replace spiral cables with new ones. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The steering column assembly in affected vehicles contains electrical connections to the driver's air bag module housed in a spiral cable assembly which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer the FFC could contact a small point of the retainer and become damaged when the steering wheel is turned. In FFC's with seven channel circuits this damage could occur to a circuit on the FFC that provides connectivity to the driver's air bag module. If connectivity is lost the air bag warning light will illuminate. In addition the driver's air bag could become deactivated causing it not to deploy in the event of a crash. This could increase the risk of injury to the driver.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: DRIVERS AIRBAG MAY NOT FUNCTION Defect: The steering column assembly in affected vehicles contains electrical connections to the driver's air bag module housed in a spiral cable assembly which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer the FFC could contact a small point of the retainer and become damaged when the steering wheel is turned. In FFC's with seven channel circuits this damage could occur to a circuit on the FFC that provides connectivity to the driver's air bag module. If connectivity is lost the air bag warning light will illuminate. In addition the driver's air bag could become deactivated causing it not to deploy in the event of a crash. This could increase the risk of injury to the driver. Remedy: Replace spiral cables with new ones
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause it not to deploy in the event of a crash.
The Fix
The dealer will replace spiral cables with new ones.
Are You Affected?
HI LUX, RAV4 built between 18 February 2005 and 12 April 2010 may be included. Toyota estimates 26,210 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Toyota, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Toyota.
- Book with any franchised Toyota dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/2014/048. See how to get a Toyota recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BZ4X, C-HR, Highlander, Landcruiser and 3 moreParking Assist ECU reprogram on multiple models | Low | R/2025/466 | |
| C-HR, C-HR Plug IN, Corolla, Corolla Cross and 6 moreCombination meter reprogramming on multiple models | Low | R/2025/270 | |
| Aygo, BZ4X, C-HR, Corolla and 6 moreOn affected vehicles there is a possibility that the DCM may not complete the shutdown process within a specific period of time when the ignition is turned off causing the DCM to not restart at the next ignition cycle and making the e-Call function unavailable. As a result the vehicles do not comply with relevant regulations | Urgent | R/2023/279 | |
| RAV4The force-limiter in the seat belt retractor may not operate as designed | Urgent | R/2022/326 | |
| Corolla, Highlander, Mirai, RAV4 and 1 moreThe emergency calling system (ecall) may not function when required | Book soon | R/2021/315 |
This is one of 250 Toyota recalls in DVSA’s data. The Toyota recall launched before it was R/2014/024 on 10 Mar 2014, for loss of power may occur. The one launched after it was R/2014/049 on 22 Apr 2014, for steering column may become unsecured. You can also see every Toyota recall, the Toyota RAV4 recall history, all recalls launched in 2014 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2014/048, launched 22 April 2014. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.