Restraints - Seat Cover Replacement On Side Air Bag Veh.
T-SB-0122-11September 6, 2011
Seat Cover Replacement For Side Airbag Equipped
Vehicles
Service Category
General
Section
Outline-General
Market
USA
Applicability
TSB SUPERSESSION NOTICE
The information contained in this TSB supersedes TSB No. BO014-05.
^ Applicability has been updated to include 2012 model year vehicles.
TSB No. BO014-05 is Obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this service bulletin before proceeding.
Introduction
Beginning in 1998 Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment.
Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover materials on vehicles due to the following:
^ Seat covers NOT recommended by Toyota may affect side airbag performance in general or in part during an accident.
^ Modifications that negatively affect side airbag performance can result in severe occupant injuries.
^ Seat covers are an integral part of this safety system. Replacing fabric seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover materials may compromise the effectiveness of this safety system.
^ The design of the seat is complex integrating safety and strength with comfort and luxury.
NOTE
Toyota original seat covers that were NOT designed for side airbag equipped seats cannot be used due to the effect on proper airbag performance.
Toyota strongly discourages modifying original equipment seats that have optional side airbags.
Additionally Toyota strongly advises against the installation or use of aftermarket seat covers which could impair the performance of the side airbags in the event of an accident.
Warranty Information