Toyota recalls 870,000 cars because spiderwebs could cause their airbags to suddenly deploy. October 18, 2013 10:04 AM PDT The 2013 Camry, one of the spider-affected models. (Credit: Toyota) I always thought car manufacturers thought of everything. They realize you might live in a hot or a cold climate. They know that some people drive more roughly than others. However, it seems that Toyota's designers hadn't quite accounted for spiders. According to CNN Money, 870,000 Toyotas are being recalled because if spiders get inside and weave a web, passengers might have an interesting pattern imprinted on their faces, when the airbag suddenly deploys for no apparent reason. More Technically Incorrect Massive asteroid to hit Earth in 2032? (Well, maybe) Nokia boasts that its phones, um, never break Anthony Weiner: I'd probably be mayor if it wasn't for the Web Startup sends school-shooting alert (it's marketing 'fun') Vast meteorite pulled from Russian lake, breaks up Here is the explanation: spiderwebs can, on occasion, actually block drainage tubes connected to the air conditioning condenser. Coincidentally, one result of this might be that water drips down onto an airbag control module, causes a short circuit which, in turn, puts the airbag system in a tizzy. All of this could result in the passenger side airbag greeting you unexpectedly. The vehicles involved are 2012 and 2013 Camrys, Venzas, and Avalons. Toyota acknowledged to CNN Money that it knows of three airbag deployments and 35 instances when the airbag warning light came on. The only link was spiderwebs. I am not sure how one can prevent spiders weaving their way inside one's car. Clearly, though, Toyota believes it has fashioned a fix for this peculiar problem.
Toyota recalls 870,000 cars because spiderwebs could cause their airbags to suddenly deploy.
The 2013 Camry, one of the spider-affected models.
(Credit: Toyota)
I always thought car manufacturers thought of everything.
They realize you might live in a hot or a cold climate. They know that some people drive more roughly than others.
However, it seems that Toyota's designers hadn't quite accounted for spiders.
According to CNN Money, 870,000 Toyotas are being recalled because if spiders get inside and weave a web, passengers might have an interesting pattern imprinted on their faces, when the airbag suddenly deploys for no apparent reason.
More Technically Incorrect
- Massive asteroid to hit Earth in 2032? (Well, maybe)
- Nokia boasts that its phones, um, never break
- Anthony Weiner: I'd probably be mayor if it wasn't for the Web
- Startup sends school-shooting alert (it's marketing 'fun')
- Vast meteorite pulled from Russian lake, breaks up
Here is the explanation: spiderwebs can, on occasion, actually block drainage tubes connected to the air conditioning condenser. Coincidentally, one result of this might be that water drips down onto an airbag control module, causes a short circuit which, in turn, puts the airbag system in a tizzy.
All of this could result in the passenger side airbag greeting you unexpectedly.
The vehicles involved are 2012 and 2013 Camrys, Venzas, and Avalons.
Toyota acknowledged to CNN Money that it knows of three airbag deployments and 35 instances when the airbag warning light came on. The only link was spiderwebs.
I am not sure how one can prevent spiders weaving their way inside one's car. Clearly, though, Toyota believes it has fashioned a fix for this peculiar problem.
