Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. is recalling approximately 482,000 2010-2012 model-year Prius cars, 2010 and 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid cars, and 2011-2012 Lexus CT 200h sport hatchbacks to address an air bag inflator issue. 

The recalled vehicles are equipped with curtain shield air bags (CSAs) in the driver and passenger side roof rails. The air bag inflators are composed of two chambers welded together. Some inflators could have a small crack in the weld area joining the chambers, which could grow over time and lead to the separation of the inflator chambers, Toyota said in a released statement. 

“This has been observed when the vehicle is parked and unoccupied for a period of time,” Toyota said. “If an inflator separates, the CSA could partially inflate, and, in limited circumstances, one or both sections of the inflator could enter the interior of the vehicle. If an occupant is present in the vehicle, there is an increased risk of injury.”

To resolve the issue, Toyota and Lexus dealers will install retention brackets on the curtain shield air bag inflators at no cost. These retention brackets are designed to prevent the inflator chambers from entering the vehicle interior if separation occurs.