Toyota Recalling Highlanders for Child Safety Reasons

Toyota has issued a recall for more than 90,000 Highlander and Highlander hybrid models equipped with three rows of passenger seating.  Apparently, the seat belts in the third row do not properly secure child restraint systems.

We've all noticed the way that a seat belt locks up when you break too hard.  Well, the third row seats do not perform this function.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the seat belt webbing is not adequately secured by the automatic locking retractor device, which allows the "seat belt webbing to spool out during normal driving."  The loose belt "could affect the stability of a child restraint." 

In short, in a collision, even if you've done everything to properly strap your child into his or her safety seat, the seat itself may leave the passenger row and cause injury.

Owners of the 2008 Highlander and Highlander hybrid can call Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and Toyota dealers will provide installation of new seat belts for free.