Toyota to recall 310,000 FJ Cruiser SUVs over seatbelt issue

Toyota Motor Corp said over the weekend that it was recalling 310,000 of its FJ Cruiser sports utility vehicles worldwide over problems with the seatbelt anchor that could become detached with usage over time.

The Japanese carmaker will recall around 209,000 FJ Cruisers in the US, 52,000 from the Middle East, 16,000 in Canada, 13,000 in South America, 7,000 in Oceania, 5,000 in China, and 3,000 in Africa.

The affected FJ Cruisers are from model years 2007 to 2013.

The recall was issued since the retractors for the front passenger and driver seatbelts, which are mounted on the rear door panel, might become detached over time, said the Tokyo-based company in a press release.

''Due to insufficient strength of the rear door panel, cracks may develop over an extended period of time if the rear door is repeatedly and forcefully closed,'' the company said.. ''If cracks occur in the panel around the lower seatbelt retractor anchor, the seatbelt retractor may become detached.''

The company said no injuries or accidents have been reported because of the issue.

The recall comes nearly two months after the company called back more than 1 million Lexus and Toyota vehicles due to windshield wiper and airbag issues.

Toyota said that it will soon send letters to owners of FJ Cruisers after it comes up with a remedy to the problem.