Toyota is recalling 1,486,413 2006-2010 Tacoma, Yaris, Vibe, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, RAV4, and Highlander vehicles for driver airbag cable damage. Free repair at Toyota dealers.
Toyota is recalling 1,486,413 2006-2010 RAV4, Yaris, Highlander, Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, and Vibe vehicles because the flexible flat cable in the steering column spiral cable can be damaged as the steering wheel turns. If the cable loses connection, the driver's airbag can be deactivated and fail to deploy in a crash that needs it; the Toyota dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The driver's airbag in the 2006-2010 Tacoma, Yaris, Vibe, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, RAV4, and Highlander depends on electrical connections inside the steering column. Those connections run through a spiral cable assembly, a coiled ribbon-style cable that stays connected while the steering wheel turns. It carries the signal between the vehicle and the driver's airbag module.
In these vehicles, the spiral cable includes a Flexible Flat Cable, which is a thin electrical strip inside the assembly. The problem is the shape and location of the cable retainer. As the steering wheel turns during normal driving, that retainer can damage the Flexible Flat Cable. Once the cable is damaged, the electrical path to the driver's airbag module is no longer dependable.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner can turn the steering wheel normally and still have damage developing inside the spiral cable assembly.
Who's affected?
Spans seven model lines across the 2006-2010 model years, all tied to the driver-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2010 Toyota Tacoma | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2010 Toyota Yaris | front air bag |
| 2010 Pontiac Vibe | front air bag |
| 2010 Toyota Corolla Matrix | front air bag |
| 2010 Toyota Corolla | front air bag |
| 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix | front air bag |
| 2009 Toyota Yaris | front air bag |
| 2009 Toyota Tacoma | front air bag |
| 2009 Pontiac Vibe | front air bag |
| 2009 Toyota Corolla | front air bag |
| 2008 Toyota Yaris | front air bag |
| 2008 Toyota RAV4 | front air bag |
| 2007 Toyota RAV4 | front air bag |
| 2007 Toyota Yaris | front air bag |
| 2006 Toyota Yaris | front air bag |
| 2006 Toyota RAV4 | front air bag |
| 2008 Toyota Highlander | front air bag |
| 2009 Toyota Highlander | front air bag |
| 2010 Toyota Highlander | front air bag |
| Units affected | 1,486,413 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A damaged FFC can break the connection to the driver's air bag module and deactivate the driver's air bag. If the air bag does not deploy in a crash that calls for deployment, the driver's injury risk increases. Schedule the repair soon and confirm with your VIN. Repair will be free at any franchised Toyota dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2010 Toyota Tacoma, Yaris, Vibe, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, RAV4, or Highlander is included in this recall.
- Wait for the Toyota or General Motors remedy notice if you have not received one, then contact the proper franchised dealer for your vehicle.
- Ask the dealer to perform the free spiral-cable repair that restores the driver's air bag electrical connection.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 14V168 when you call.
- Call Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 with questions about Toyota-badged vehicles before your dealer visit.
What happens at the repair
The recall notice says remedy parts became available and the recall began after interim letters went out. At the dealer, a Toyota technician handles the steering column spiral cable assembly tied to the driver's airbag circuit. The filing does not give a shop-time estimate or spell out the full part-by-part procedure in this section. The dealer remedy is free under the recall, and parts and labor are covered when the vehicle is included by VIN.
Timeline
| April 9, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 27, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V168?
Recall 14V168 covers 1,486,413 2006-2010 Toyota Tacoma, Yaris, Vibe, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, RAV4, and Highlander vehicles with a steering-column spiral cable defect. Damage to the flexible flat cable can deactivate the driver's airbag and increase injury risk in a crash.
What should I do if my 2006-2010 Toyota Tacoma, Yaris, Vibe, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, RAV4, or Highlander is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 14V168. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer and ask for the steering-column spiral cable recall repair. Reference recall number 14V168 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Toyota dealers perform the steering-column spiral cable repair free of charge for included vehicles, with parts and labor covered under recall 14V168.
What is the safety risk in recall 14V168?
The safety risk is that the driver's airbag can be deactivated. If the flexible flat cable in the steering column is damaged, the connection to the driver's airbag module can be lost, increasing injury risk to the driver in a crash that needs airbag deployment.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised Toyota dealer and reference recall number 14V168.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V168000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V168 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V168000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →