NHTSA recall 04V181000
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Toyota Highlander
Reported Apr 15, 2004366,572 vehicles affectedTOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.Maker’s number SSC 40BBuilt Nov 17, 2000 – Jan 29, 2004
The defect
Certain sport utility vehicles have a child protection lock (cpl) system on both of the rear side doors. when an operator of the vehicle closes the door very hard with the cpl lever set to the lock position, there IS a possibility that the lever may contact the body panel, causing the cpl lever to move into the unlock position.
The risk
This condition could allow the door to be opened with the inside while the operator believes that the cpl was activated. if the door were opened from the inside while the vehicle was in motion, an occupant could fall out and be injured.
The remedy
Dealers will shorten the cpl lever. owner notification began may 7, 2004. owners should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.