Toyota Australia Recalls Tarago Vehicles for Back Door Damper Stay

Toyota Australia has today announced that it will initiate a safety recall on 86 Tarago vehicles due to a potential issue with the back door damper stays of these vehicles.

The subject vehicles are equipped with gas charged back door damper stays which are used to help lift and support the back door while it is in the open position. During a specific production period, an improper temperature was used during the plating process for coating the surface of the damper rod at a specific supplier.

As a result, there is a possibility that internal stress generated during the plating process may cause micro cracks to develop on the plating of the damper rod. For certain damper rod stay designs that are installed in certain orientations, this condition can allow the gas charged in the damper stay to leak through cracks when the rod is in an upward position and the damper oil moves down and away from the damper rod seal.

If a sufficient amount of gas leaks, the damper stay may not keep the back door open, increasing the risk of injury.

Toyota dealers will replace the damper stays with new parts free of charge to customers for all involved vehicles.

Toyota Australia will notify all owners by mail, SMS or email to provide details of this Safety Recall Campaign.

The replacement of the damper stays will take approximately 30 minutes. However, it may be necessary for the owner to make the vehicle available for a longer period of time depending upon the Dealer's work schedule.

Owners with additional questions or concerns are asked to please contact their local Toyota Dealer in the first instance or the Toyota Recall Support Helpline on 1800 987 366 (Mon-Fri 8.00-6.00pm AEST)

Please quote your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Q&A

Q1. What models are involved?
A1. 86 Toyota Tarago vehicles are involved. Details of the vehicles are provided below.

 Q2. What is the condition? (Description of problem)
A2. The subject vehicles are equipped with gas charged back door damper stays, which are used to help lift and support the back door while it is in the open position. During a specific production period, an improper temperature was used during the plating process for coating the surface of the damper rod at a specific supplier. As a result, there is a possibility that internal stress generated during the plating process may cause micro cracks to develop on the plating of the damper rod. For certain damper stay designs that are installed in certain orientations, this condition can allow the gas charged in the damper stay to leak through cracks when the rod is in an upward position and the damper oil moves down and away from the damper rod seal. If a sufficient amount of gas leaks, the damper stays may not keep the back door open, increasing the risk of injury.

    SQ. Are there any warnings that this condition may occur?
    A. No, there are no warnings that this condition may occur.

Q3. What is Toyota going to do?
A3. Owners of the involved vehicles will receive campaign notification by mail, SMS or email.
Toyota dealers will replace the damper stays with new parts free of charge to customers for all involved vehicles.

Q4. How long will the repair take?
A4. Replacement will take approximately 30 minutes. However, it may be necessary for the owner to make the vehicle available for a longer period of time depending upon the dealer's schedule.

Q5. Does this condition affect other Toyota models?
A5. No. Only models mentioned in the VIN range in the table at question 1 are involved.

Q6. My Tarago vehicle is in the affected production range. What should I do?
Please contact your closest/preferred Toyota dealer to verify if your specific vehicle is affected.