Toyota Motor (TM 0.97%) confirmed Thursday that it is issuing a voluntary safety recall of approximately 11,200 Scion iQ compact cars sold in the U.S. The recall, which affects certain cars from the 2012 and 2013 model years, is being conducted to give Toyota the opportunity to inspect front passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) weight sensor cables, and install new protective covers over the sensors. Toyota confirms that no crashes or injuries have been reported in connection with this problem.
The OCS controls the operation of airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners. Damage to the cable, says the company, could prevent airbags from deploying as they are designed to do or, alternatively, could cause seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or airbags to deploy when they should not.
Toyota says it will be mailing out recall notifications to owners of the affected cars early next month. The company estimates that repairs can be performed within approximately one hour.
