Recall wrap: Wrong tyres on Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport

Toyota Australia has announced a nationwide product safety recall for 245 examples of its 2022-2023 Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid GR Sport, which might not comply with Australian Design Rules (ADR) because they may have been fitted with the incorrect tyres.

While there’s no safety or performance concern as such, Toyota says the tyres fitted to vehicles within this production range do not meet ADR 81/02 requirements and may result in increased fuel consumption compared to the claimed figures.

For the front-wheel drive Yaris Cross GR Sport, that’s 3.8L/100km, while the all-wheel drive GR Sport is said to sip 4.0L/100km, each on the combined cycle.

Both cars are powered by the same 85kW/120Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-electric powertrain.

The Yaris Cross launched Down Under around 12 months ago, sporting bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in superior Falken FK510 rubber as standard.

Toyota Australia says it will contact the owners of affected vehicles (see if your vehicle identification number is listed here) in writing to organise the replacement of all four tyres free of charge.

A total of 203 examples of the new Lotus Emira sports car have also been recalled this week via three separate recall notices.

The first recall notice involves 76 vehicles built between 2022 and 2023, with Lotus saying a software issue could cause the windscreen wipers to operate at half the required speed, which could lead to poor visibility for the driver in the rain.

A second recall notice affects 101 examples also built between 2022 and 2023, this time related to driver and passenger side A-pillar trims that may have been fitted incorrectly.

This could cause the A-pillar trim to detach in the event of a side curtain airbag deployment, potentially causing plastic fragments to be propelled towards vehicle occupants and causing serious injury or death.

A third recall notice involves 26 examples of the 2022 Lotus Emira and relates to a defect during assembly that could cause the driver’s and passenger's seatbelt locking mechanism to engage at the incorrect point.

“As a result, the seatbelt could engage tightly across the chest and waist and limit movements which may lead to restricted visibility. Additionally, the seatbelt could require increased effort to unbuckle,” said Lotus in its recall notice, adding that it will contact all affected owners to have the various safety concerns inspected and repaired free of charge.

Meanwhile, 243 examples of the new 2023 RAM 1500 Big Horn have been recalled because they could be missing a locking bracket in the front centre seat due to a manufacturing defect.

Australian-delivered examples of the locally remanufactured full-size pick-up are not designed to carry three passengers up front – only a driver and front passenger – where the middle ‘dickie-seat’ is instead a bolted-down centre console with cup holders and various storage compartments.

In the US, the middle section of the front bench seat can transform from storage area to a third pew, to seat three people up front.

According to the recall notice, the locking bracket installed to secure the centre front seat in the down position may not operate as intended due to a manufacturing defect.

“This seating position is not fitted with a seatbelt and could be used by an occupant if the locking bracket does not function correctly,” said RAM in its recall notice.

“In the event of a collision, an unrestrained occupant would be exposed to the risk of serious injury or death. Note: The centre front seat should not be used by passengers.”

Owners of affected vehicles are being asked to contact their authorised RAM dealership to arrange to have the centre seat inspected and rectified if necessary, free of charge.

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