NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Toyota RAV 4 recall: The front seat brackets for the seat rails may be welded improperly

Recall published 6 months ago

The front seat brackets for the seat rails may be welded improperly.

The hazard: Vehicle safety recall

The manufacturer filed this campaign after identifying a defect or a compliance failure. The summary above is their own description of it.

What the notice says: Improperly welded seat brackets can prevent the seat from adequately restraining an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Why it matters: The manufacturer identified a defect or a failure to meet a federal motor vehicle safety standard. The summary above describes the specific component and what it can do.

Recall details

Recall number
26V256000
Published
April 22, 2026
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Toyota
Product type
Seats
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Toyota RAV4
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 26V256000

Products covered by this recall

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025 RAV 4 vehicles. The front seat brackets for the seat rails may be welded improperly.

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 1 code you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • RAV 4

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Vehicle

Toyota — The manufacturer filed this campaign after identifying a defect or a compliance failure. The summary above is their own description of it.

  1. Read the summary above for the component involved — it determines how urgent this is for you.
  2. Call any franchised dealer for the brand, give them the campaign number from this page, and ask them to confirm parts are in stock before you book — part supply, not labour, is what delays a fresh recall.
  3. If the notice names a symptom you have already noticed, mention it when you book.
  4. Keep the repair order the dealer hands you. It is your proof the campaign was closed out, and it matters at resale.

What the recall repair costs you

Nothing, and that is a legal obligation rather than a goodwill gesture. The question worth asking is what else is covered.

  • Recall work is free for as long as you own the vehicle, with no mileage limit, no age limit for the current owner, and no requirement that you bought the car from that dealer.
  • Ask about a loaner or rental when you book, not when you arrive. On a parts-delayed campaign it is frequently available and almost never volunteered.
  • Keep receipts for towing, storage or a rental you arranged yourself — reimbursement for these is common where the vehicle was undrivable.
  • If you already paid an independent garage for the same fix, submit the invoice to the manufacturer under their reimbursement plan.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will inspect and repair the seat bracket welds as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB09 and 26TA09.

Company contact: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Toyota seats recalled?

The front seat brackets for the seat rails may be welded improperly. Improperly welded seat brackets can prevent the seat from adequately restraining an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Read the summary above for the component involved — it determines how urgent this is for you.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will inspect and repair the seat bracket welds as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB09 and 26TA09.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

Related recalls