Recall 18V569 affects 19,354 2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles with seat belt buckles that misread latch status. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 19,354 2012 Avalon vehicles because replacement seat belt inner buckles can falsely tell the air bag management system that the belt is buckled. In a crash, that false signal can affect air bag deployment and increase injury risk; Toyota dealers will replace the affected buckles free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The inner seat belt buckle on a 2012 Toyota Avalon is the latch at the front seat where the belt clicks into place. It holds the belt tongue and also tells the air bag management system whether that seat belt is buckled. That signal helps the restraint system read the occupant and belt status during a crash.
On affected Avalons, a front inner buckle replaced during a repair was built without the magnet used in its hall effect switch. That switch is the sensor inside the buckle. Without the magnet, the buckle can send the wrong signal and tell the air bag management system the belt is buckled even when it is not. The original production buckles are not part of this defect.
There is no warning sign before failure. The buckle can look and latch normally, so the VIN and repair history decide whether the vehicle needs the free Toyota dealer repair.
Who's affected?
VINs have been searchable since September 17, 2018.
| 2012 Toyota Avalon | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2012 Toyota Avalon | air bag system |
| Units affected | 19,354 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, a seat belt assembly that reads as buckled when it is not can keep the air bags from deploying appropriately. That raises injury risk. Confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the dealer test soon. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Toyota Avalon is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free seat belt inner buckle inspection and any needed replacement so the air bag system gets the correct buckle signal.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V569 when you call.
- Confirm with the dealer that the seat belt buckle test passes before pickup.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician tests the seat belt assembly to confirm it detects an unbuckled belt correctly. If the assembly does not pass that test, the technician replaces the inner seat belt assembly. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. If you already paid out of pocket to fix this condition before the campaign, Toyota's standard reimbursement plan gives owners a way to claim documented expenses. Bring receipts or repair paperwork to the Toyota service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 29, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 29, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| August 29, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 17, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| September 17, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 19, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V569?
Recall 18V569 covers 19,354 2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles with replacement seat belt inner buckles that can incorrectly tell the air bag management system the belt is buckled. In a crash, the air bags can deploy incorrectly and increase injury risk. Toyota dealers will test the seat belt assembly and replace the inner assembly for free when needed.
What should I do if my 2012 Toyota Avalon is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Avalon is included in recall 18V569. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer and ask for recall J0S. The dealer will test the seat belt assembly and replace the inner seat belt assembly for free when needed.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall repair at no cost. Toyota dealers will test the seat belt assembly and replace the inner seat belt assembly free of charge when the test shows the affected part is installed.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is incorrect air bag deployment in a crash. The affected seat belt buckle can tell the air bag management system the belt is buckled when it is not. If that happens during a crash, the air bags can deploy incorrectly and increase injury risk.
What if I bought my 2012 Toyota Avalon used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Avalon is included, then call a franchised Toyota dealer and reference recall 18V569 or Toyota recall J0S.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V569000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-888-270-9371 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V569 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V569000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →