Canada - Restraints - Seat Cover Replacement On Side Air Bag

Bulletin
T-TCI-3684

Issue Date
December 19, 2011

Market
Canada

Title
SEAT COVER REPLACEMENT FOR SIDE AIRBAG EQUIPPED VEHICLES

Service Category
General

Section
Outline-General

Market
Canada






APPLICABILITY

TSB SUPERSESSION NOTICE

The information contained in this TSB supersedes TSB No. 2372.
- Applicability has been updated to include 2012 model year vehicles.

TSB No. 2372 is Obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded.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