Recall 18V685 covers 168,187 2018-2019 Toyota Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Sequoia, and Tundra vehicles for airbag ECU software. Free repair at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 168,187 2018-2019 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Sequoia, and Tundra vehicles because the air bag ECU can falsely detect a fault during the startup self check. If that happens, the air bags can fail to deploy as intended in a crash, and Toyota dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The air bag electronic control unit, or ECU, is the computer that checks the supplemental restraint system each time the vehicle starts. On 2018-2019 Toyota Avalon, Sequoia, Tundra, and Avalon Hybrid vehicles, that computer reads signals from front and side air bag satellite sensors. Those sensors help the system decide which air bags deploy in a crash.
The problem is software inside the air bag ECU. Its startup self-check settings do not match the sensor design, so the ECU can read a healthy sensor as failed. When that false fault is stored, the system disables the affected sensor for that drive after startup. In a crash, the air bags tied to that disabled sensor will not deploy as intended, per NHTSA campaign 18V685.
Owners should see several warning signs when the fault sets. The vehicle sounds a warning buzzer, turns on the SRS warning light and other warning lights, and shows a message on the combination meter display.
Who's affected?
Scope crosses Toyota passenger cars, SUVs, and pickups, with both electrical system software and air bag system components listed for each model line.
| 2019 Toyota Avalon | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Avalon | air bag system |
| 2018 Toyota Sequoia | electrical system software |
| 2018 Toyota Sequoia | air bag system |
| 2018 Toyota Tundra | electrical system software |
| 2018 Toyota Tundra | air bag system |
| 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid | electrical system software |
| 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid | air bag system |
| 2019 Toyota Sequoia | electrical system software |
| 2019 Toyota Sequoia | air bag system |
| 2019 Toyota Tundra | electrical system software |
| 2019 Toyota Tundra | air bag system |
| Units affected | 168,187 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash. The vehicle warns you by setting a trouble code, sounding a buzzer, turning on warning lights, and showing a message on the combination meter display. Treat those warnings as a reason to schedule service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Toyota Avalon, Sequoia, Tundra, or Avalon Hybrid is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free air bag ECU software update that fixes the start-up self-check fault.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V685 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete because the air bags can fail to deploy as intended in a crash.
- Call Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 with questions, and reference Toyota recall J0X.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician updates the air bag ECU software. That update is the recall remedy for the start up self check fault and also includes the software changes from superseded recall 18V122. The update and labor are free under this recall. Toyota has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair before the recall work was performed. Bring documentation of that prior repair and ask the service desk how Toyota's standard reimbursement plan applies.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 4, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 5, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| October 5, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 22, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 26, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V685?
Recall 18V685 covers 168,187 2018-2019 Toyota Avalon, Sequoia, Tundra, and Avalon Hybrid vehicles with air bag ECU software that can misread a fault during startup. If the airbags do not deploy as intended in a crash, injury risk increases. Toyota dealers update the ECU software for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Toyota Avalon, Sequoia, Tundra, or Avalon Hybrid is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V685. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free air bag ECU software update. Reference recall number 18V685 and Toyota recall number J0X when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Toyota to repair this safety defect at no cost. A franchised Toyota dealer will update the air bag ECU software for free, including the software updates from recall 18V122 that were superseded by this recall.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V685?
The safety risk is increased injury in a crash if the airbags do not deploy as intended. The problem is tied to the air bag ECU's startup self-check, where the control unit can incorrectly detect a fault. The remedy is a free software update at a Toyota dealer.
What if I bought my Toyota used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Avalon, Sequoia, Tundra, or Avalon Hybrid is included, then schedule the software update with a franchised Toyota dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V685000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-888-270-9371 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V685 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V685000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation 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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →