NHTSA complaint #11695516

Owner complaint summary

I own a 2021 Toyota Camry XSE (VIN: [XXX] ) with a malfunction in the SRS airbag system related to the front passenger seat frame Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor. The airbag warning light remains on, and diagnostics indicate a failure in the OCS sensor that could prevent the passenger airbag from deploying correctly, or could deploy it at the wrong time during a collision. I contacted Toyota for assistance, but they declined to cover the repair, stating the vehicle is out of warranty and not covered under any current recall or extended warranty. However, this is a critical safety issue that affects the airbag system’s ability to protect occupants properly. I’ve discovered that Toyota has already issued multiple airbag- and sensor-related recalls in recent years, including: – The Takata inflator recall, affecting many Toyota models for potentially explosive airbag inflators. – A December 2023 recall for approximately 1 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles (model years 2020-2022) due to a front passenger seat OCS sensor defect—the same component involved in my Camry’s issue. – A June 2024 recall of about 145,000 U.S. vehicles (certain 2024 SUVs/hybrids) for side-curtain airbags that may not deploy correctly. – A January 2025 recall affecting 2023 Toyota and Lexus vehicles for steering-column spiral cable defects that could prevent the driver’s airbag from deploying. Given these ongoing airbag and OCS sensor problems across multiple Toyota models and years, it appears my 2021 Camry may suffer from a related or similar defect. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this issue should be included in or trigger an expansion of existing Toyota airbag recalls. Toyota’s refusal to assist despite the safety risk raises concern that other 2021 Camry owners could be affected without being aware of the danger INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)