Recall 16V065 covers 320,409 2003-2006 Toyota and Lexus vehicles with side air bags that deploy unexpectedly. Free repair at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 320,409 2003-2006 Toyota and Lexus SUVs and trucks, including the 4RUNNER, Land Cruiser, LX470, GX470, Sequoia, and Tundra, because an improperly programmed air bag control module can deploy the side curtain-shield air bags unexpectedly. Unexpected air bag deployment increases the risk of occupant injury, and Toyota dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The side curtain-shield airbags in affected 2003-2006 Toyota 4RUNNER, Land Cruiser, LX470, GX470, Sequoia, and Tundra vehicles are mounted along the side of the cabin. They are designed to inflate during certain side-impact or rollover events, helping protect occupants' heads near the windows. The airbag sensor assembly, also called the airbag control module, decides when those airbags should deploy.
On these vehicles, the control module was programmed incorrectly. If the vehicle has a body roll motion at about the fourth second after the ignition is turned to ON, the roll rate sensors can be left out of calibration. That bad sensor reading can make the module detect a rollover that is not happening. The side curtain-shield airbags can then deploy unexpectedly.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner would not have a dashboard warning, noise, or handling change that reliably points to this programming defect before the airbags deploy.
Who's affected?
Spans 2003-2006 SUVs and pickups across 6 model lines, with the side air bag listed for every included vehicle.
| 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER | side air bag |
|---|---|
| 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser | side air bag |
| 2004 Lexus LX470 | side air bag |
| 2006 Lexus GX470 | side air bag |
| 2005 Lexus LX470 | side air bag |
| 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser | side air bag |
| 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser | side air bag |
| 2004 Lexus GX470 | side air bag |
| 2003 Lexus LX470 | side air bag |
| 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER | side air bag |
| 2005 Lexus GX470 | side air bag |
| 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser | side air bag |
| 2006 Lexus LX470 | side air bag |
| 2006 Toyota Sequoia | side air bag |
| 2006 Toyota Tundra | side air bag |
| 2006 Toyota 4RUNNER | side air bag |
| 2005 Toyota Sequoia | side air bag |
| 2005 Toyota Tundra | side air bag |
| Units affected | 320,409 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected side curtain-shield-air bag deployment can increase the risk of occupant injury. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon and drive cautiously until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2003-2006 Toyota 4RUNNER, Land Cruiser, LX470, GX470, Sequoia, or Tundra is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free air bag control module replacement, with improved programming to stop inadvertent side curtain air bag deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V065 when you call.
- Call Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371 with questions about Toyota recall G0C or GLB.
- Drive with extra care until the repair is complete, since an unexpected side curtain air bag deployment increases injury risk.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician replaces the air bag control module with a new module that has improved programming. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Toyota's general reimbursement plan on file applies to eligible owners who paid out of pocket for the same repair before recall service. Bring documentation for the prior repair to the service desk, or contact Toyota customer service if the dealer asks for manufacturer review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 2, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| February 2, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 5, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| April 2, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 2, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 1, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V065?
Recall 16V065 covers 320,409 2003-2006 Toyota and Lexus vehicles with side curtain-shield-air bags. The air bag control module can be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy unexpectedly. Toyota dealers will replace the module for free.
What should I do if my 2003-2006 Toyota or Lexus vehicle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V065. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule replacement of the air bag control module. Reference Toyota recall numbers G0C and GLB when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Toyota will replace the air bag control module free of charge at a franchised Toyota dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V065?
The safety risk is unexpected side curtain-shield-air bag deployment. If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy when there is no crash event, occupants face an increased risk of injury. The fix is replacement of the air bag control module with improved programming.
What if I bought my Toyota or Lexus used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2003-2006 vehicle is included, then call a Toyota dealer and reference recall 16V065, Toyota G0C, or Toyota GLB.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V065000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-888-271-9371 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V065 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V065000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →