Toyota Announces Recall of 2022-2023 Tacoma Vehicles for Child Seat Anchor Issues

Toyota Motor North America recently announced a recall of Toyota Tacoma vehicles in model years 2022 and 2023. The recall focuses on issues with the welding of the child safety seat anchors. If the problem is not fixed, serious injuries may result. 

Problems with Child Safety Seat Anchors in Tacoma Vehicles

The recall applies to the upper child safety seat anchor in the 2022 and 2023 model year Toyota Tacoma. This anchor attaches to child safety seats to keep the seat in place as the vehicle moves. 

The upper child safety seat anchor is part of the vehicle’s LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) system. LATCH systems are common in newer vehicles. They’re designed to provide better anchoring for child safety seats than seatbelts alone – improving the overall safety of the seat for children and reducing the risk of serious injuries in a crash. 

If the affected Toyota Tacoma vehicles stop suddenly or crash, the upper safety seat anchor weld may fail. If the weld fails, the child seat may tilt or pitch forward, increasing the risk of serious injury to a child who is in the safety seat. 

The child seat safety anchor recall is one of three recalls currently issued for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma. One of the other two recalls focuses on issues with the spiral cable assembly that controls the driver’s side airbag. If not repaired, the airbag might not deploy in a crash, causing serious injuries. 

The other recall focuses on the rear axle assembly, which may need to have the retaining nuts tightened or any loose or damaged parts replaced. If the repair is not performed, the axle shaft may separate, which can affect vehicle stability and brake performance and increase the risk of a crash. 

What to Do If Your Vehicle is Affected

If your Toyota Tacoma is part of the recall, it’s important to take it to your dealership as soon as possible for a repair. Without a repair, there is an increased risk that a child sitting in a seat attached to the top anchor could be seriously injured in a car accident. 

Even if you don’t currently have a child who needs a car seat, having the repair made can be valuable. It ensures you can protect any future children who might need to ride in your vehicle. It also ensures that anyone who owns your vehicle in the future can trust that the child safety seat system works. 

When you take your Tacoma or any other vehicle in for a repair:

• Keep copies of your paperwork and receipts from the dealership. This paperwork establishes that you tried to get the automaker to perform a repair. If the dealership needs multiple tries to fix a problem – or if they cannot fix it even after several attempts – the paperwork creates a timeline and demonstrates that you gave the automaker multiple opportunities to fulfill its obligations. 
• Keep copies of receipts and other paperwork for related expenses. For instance, if you need to rent a vehicle to drive while yours is in the shop, keep copies of the rental receipts and paperwork. Store these with the dealership paperwork to keep your files neat and organized.
• Find your warranty and keep it safe. Locate your original or certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty and keep a copy with your other vehicle paperwork. If you need to file a lemon law claim, your warranty may become part of the case. 

Finally, don’t hesitate to talk to an experienced lemon law attorney – especially if the dealership can’t seem to fix the problem with your vehicle after several attempts. 

How an Experienced California Lemon Law Attorney Can Help

California lemon law allows the owner of a lemon vehicle to seek compensation from the automaker. Compensation may be available for losses that include:

• The vehicle itself. California’s lemon law provides for the vehicle owner to choose between a refund (also known as a “buyback”) or a replacement vehicle. 
• Other losses. Towing fees, rental cars, rideshare fees, and other costs related to the problem vehicle may also be covered in a lemon law claim.
• Attorney’s fees. Under California lemon law, if the vehicle owner proves they have a lemon, the automaker must pay the owner’s reasonable attorney’s fees, litigation costs and even litigation expenses.
• Civil Penalties. In some cases, when the automaker willfully fails to follow the lemon laws of California, you may also be entitled to additional damages called civil penalties, which can be up to two times the amount of your actual damages.

Automakers have experienced lawyers on their side to fight lemon law claims. Talk to an experienced California lemon law attorney today to level the playing field. The team at Wirtz Law APC can help. Contact us today to learn more.