Toyota recalls 342,000 Tacoma trucks to fix issue with seat belts

Toyota announced Wednesday that it is voluntarily recalling approximately 342,000 of its midsize Tacoma pickup trucks to fix an issue with the seat belts.

The recall affects Tacoma Access Cab trucks from the 2004 through 2011 model years.

At issue are screws on the seat belt pre-tensioner that can come loose over time as a result of the door repeatedly closing. When the bolts become loose, it can cause the seat belts to retract incorrectly.

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The issue is the result of a design flaw, rather than a manufacturing defect, according to Cindy Knight, a Toyota spokeswoman. No accidents or injuries have been reported as a result of this flaw, Knight said.

Toyota will notify owners of affected vehicles by mail. Dealers will install new screws and a thread-locking sealant, as well as a new spring cover for the belt retractor. All repairs will be done at no cost to owners.

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