The SRS airbags are designed to deploy when the Toyota Tacoma is subjected to certain types of severe impacts that may cause significant injury to the occupants. Working together with the seat belts, the airbag system helps reduce the risk of death or serious injury by providing additional restraint during qualifying collisions.
SRS airbag system
The Toyota Tacoma SRS airbag system includes several types of airbags positioned around the passenger compartment. Each airbag is designed to provide additional protection for specific areas of the body when the conditions for deployment are met.
- SRS front airbags (SRS driver airbag/SRS front passenger airbag)
Help reduce the impact to the head and chest of the driver and front passenger during certain severe frontal collisions. - SRS knee airbags
Help reduce impact to the knees and lower body area of the driver and front passenger. - SRS side airbags
Help reduce impact to the chest of the occupants of the front seats during certain side impacts. - SRS curtain shield airbags
- Help reduce impact to the heads of the occupants of the front and rear outer seats.
- Can also help prevent occupants from being thrown from the vehicle in the event of a vehicle rollover.
Your Toyota Tacoma is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed in accordance with U.S. motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag sensor assembly (ECU) controls airbag deployment using information received from the sensors and other system components shown in the diagram above. This information includes factors such as crash severity and occupant information. When deployment is required, a chemical reaction inside the inflators rapidly fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to help restrain occupant movement and reduce the forces acting on the body.
If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
If one or more SRS airbags deploy, several effects may occur as part of the normal operation of the restraint and post-collision systems. Occupants should be aware that deployment happens extremely quickly and may be accompanied by heat, noise, and other temporary conditions.
- Slight abrasions, burns, bruising, or similar injuries may occur from contact with the SRS airbags because of the extremely high speed at which they deploy (inflate) using hot gases.
- A loud deployment noise will be heard, and white powder may be released into the cabin.
- Parts of the airbag module, including the steering wheel hub, airbag cover, and inflator, as well as surrounding components, may remain hot for several minutes after deployment. The airbag itself may also be hot.
- The windshield may crack as a result of the collision or airbag deployment forces.
- All of the doors will be unlocked automatically.
- The brakes and stop lights will be controlled automatically as part of the vehicle's response.
- The interior lights will turn on automatically.
- The emergency flashers will turn on automatically.
- The fuel supply to the engine will be stopped.
Emergency call
- For Safety Connect subscribers, if any of the following situations occur, the system is designed to send an emergency call to the response center so that assistance can be coordinated when necessary.
- When an SRS airbag has been deployed.
- When a seat belt pretensioner has operated.
- When the Toyota Tacoma has received an impact exceeding a certain level.
Emergency services may be dispatched even if there is no response to calls from the agent. This allows assistance to be requested even when vehicle occupants are unable to communicate after an accident.
The SRS airbags deploy in a frontal impact when
Deployment of the SRS airbags depends on the severity and characteristics of the impact rather than vehicle speed alone. The system evaluates the forces detected during the collision and activates the appropriate restraint components when the required conditions are met.
- The following SRS airbags are designed to
deploy in the event of an impact
that exceeds a threshold level
(level of force corresponding to an
approximately 12 - 18 mph [20 -
30 km/h] frontal collision with a
fixed wall that does not move or
deform):
- SRS front airbags
- SRS knee airbags
- The threshold level at which the
SRS airbags deploy may be
higher than normal in the following
situations because the impact energy can be absorbed differently:
- When the vehicle collides with an object, such as a parked vehicle or sign pole, that moves or deforms when struck.
- If the vehicle is involved in an underride collision, such as a collision in which the front of the Toyota Tacoma "underrides", or travels under, the bed of a truck.
- Depending on the type and severity of the collision,
only the following restraint components may deploy:
- Seat belt pretensioners
- The SRS airbags for the front passenger's seat will not normally deploy if there is no passenger in the front passenger seat. However, the SRS airbags for the front passenger's seat may still deploy even if the seat is unoccupied when luggage or another object is placed on the seat.
- In the event of an especially severe frontal collision, the left and right SRS curtain shield airbags may also deploy to provide additional occupant protection.
The SRS airbags deploy in a side impact when
The Toyota Tacoma SRS airbag system evaluates the severity and direction of a side impact before determining whether deployment is necessary. Deployment depends on the forces detected during the collision rather than vehicle speed alone.
- The following SRS airbags are designed to
deploy when an impact
exceeds the specified threshold
level (a level of force corresponding
to the impact produced by
an approximately 3300 lb. [1500
kg] vehicle striking the passenger
compartment at a perpendicular
angle at an approximate
speed of 12 - 18 mph [20 - 30
km/h]):
- SRS side airbags
- SRS curtain shield airbags
- If the Toyota Tacoma is involved in a rollover,
the following SRS airbags are designed to
deploy:
- Both the left and right SRS curtain shield airbags
- The SRS airbags may also deploy in an underside impact under certain severe impact conditions.
- The following airbags may deploy
if the underside of the vehicle strikes
a hard object with sufficient force:
- SRS front airbags
- SRS knee airbags
- SRS side airbags
- SRS curtain shield airbags
- The following airbags may also deploy
if the vehicle becomes significantly
tilted or receives a strong impact,
such as when skidding into a curb or similar hard object:
- SRS curtain shield airbags
The SRS airbags will not deploy when
SRS airbag deployment is determined by the type, direction, and severity of an impact. Certain collisions may not generate the conditions required for a particular airbag to deploy, even when visible vehicle damage is present.
- The following SRS airbags will not
normally deploy during side or rear collisions,
vehicle rollovers, or low-
speed frontal impacts. However,
if such an impact produces sufficient
sudden deceleration, these SRS airbags
may still deploy:
- SRS front airbags
- SRS knee airbags
- The following SRS airbags may
not deploy if the Toyota Tacoma is struck
at a certain angle or during a side
collision in which the impact affects an area of the
vehicle away from the main passenger
compartment:
- SRS side airbags
- SRS curtain shield airbags
- The following SRS airbags will not
normally deploy during front or rear
collisions, vehicle rollovers, or low-
speed side impacts because these conditions may not meet their deployment criteria:
- SRS side airbags
- The following SRS airbags will not
normally deploy during rear collisions,
end-over-end vehicle rollovers, or
low-speed front or side collisions. Their operation depends on the specific forces detected by the restraint system:
- SRS curtain shield airbags
When to contact your Toyota dealer
In any of the following situations, the Toyota Tacoma may require professional inspection and/or repair of the SRS airbag system or related vehicle components. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible so the affected areas can be checked properly before continued use.
- When any of the SRS airbags have deployed. The affected restraint components should be inspected and serviced as required before the vehicle is returned to normal operation.
- When the front of the vehicle is
damaged or deformed, or when the Toyota Tacoma was
involved in a collision that was not
severe enough to cause any of
the following SRS airbags to
deploy. Even without deployment, impact damage may still require inspection:
- SRS front airbags
- SRS knee airbags
- When a door or the surrounding
body area is damaged, deformed, punctured, or
was involved in a collision that was not
severe enough to cause any of
the following SRS airbags to
deploy, the affected components should still be inspected because damage around these areas may influence proper airbag system operation:
- SRS side airbags
- SRS curtain shield airbags
- When the padded center section of the steering wheel, the dashboard area near the front passenger SRS airbag, or the lower portion of the instrument panel is scratched, cracked, deformed, or otherwise damaged. These areas contain or cover important SRS airbag components and should not be ignored after visible damage occurs.
- When the surface of a seat equipped with an SRS side airbag is scratched, cracked, torn, or otherwise damaged around the airbag deployment area. Have the seat inspected before relying on the restraint system for normal protection.
- When the section of a front pillar, rear pillar, or roof side rail garnish (padding) that covers an SRS curtain shield airbag is scratched, cracked, loose, or otherwise damaged. Damage to these trim areas may interfere with the intended deployment path of the Toyota Tacoma curtain shield airbags.
WARNING
SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions whenever driving or riding in the Toyota Tacoma. Proper seating position and correct seat belt use are essential because the SRS airbags are designed to supplement, rather than replace, the protection provided by the seat belts.
Failure to follow these precautions may result in death or serious injury.
- The driver and all passengers
must wear their seat belts correctly whenever the vehicle is occupied and in motion.
The SRS airbags are supplemental restraint devices designed to work together with the seat belts. Airbags alone are not intended to provide complete occupant protection.
- The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force and can cause death or serious injury, particularly if the driver is positioned too close to the airbag at the moment of deployment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises maintaining an appropriate distance between the driver and the steering wheel airbag:
Because the highest-risk area for the driver's airbag is within the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of inflation, positioning yourself approximately 10 in. (250 mm) from the driver airbag provides a greater margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of the steering wheel to your breastbone while you are seated in your normal driving position.
If your current driving position places you less than 10 in. (250 mm) from the driver airbag, adjust your position while still maintaining full control of the Toyota Tacoma. Several adjustments may help increase the distance safely:
- Move your seat rearward as far as practical while still being able to reach and fully operate the pedals comfortably. Make sure you can maintain proper control without stretching your legs excessively.
- Slightly recline the seatback while maintaining a safe, upright driving posture.
Although vehicle designs and occupant proportions vary, many drivers can achieve the recommended 10 in. (250 mm) distance, even with the driver's seat relatively far forward, by reclining the seatback slightly. If reclining the seatback makes it difficult to see the road clearly, adjust your seating height as appropriate by using a firm, non-slippery cushion, or raise the seat if the vehicle is equipped with a seat-height adjustment feature. Do not compromise pedal reach or visibility when changing your seating position.
- If the steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward as necessary. This helps direct the airbag toward your chest rather than your head and neck. The driver's seat should remain adjusted in accordance with the NHTSA recommendation while you are still able to operate the Toyota Tacoma safely using the pedals and steering wheel and maintain a clear view of the road, instrument panel, and controls.
- Vehicles with Double Cab models: If a seat belt extender has been connected to the driver's seat belt buckle but the latch plate of the driver's seat belt has not been fastened into the seat belt extender, the SRS airbag system may determine that the driver is wearing the seat belt even though the belt has not actually been secured. In this situation, the driver's SRS front airbag may not deploy as intended in a collision, increasing the risk of death or serious injury. Always make sure the driver's seat belt is correctly routed, fastened, and secured when using a seat belt extender.
- Vehicles without Double Cab models: If a seat belt extender has been connected to a front seat belt buckle but the latch plate of that seat belt has not been fastened into the seat belt extender, the SRS airbag system may determine that the occupant is properly wearing the seat belt even though the belt remains unfastened. Under these conditions, the SRS front airbags may not deploy correctly during a collision, which could result in death or serious injury. When using a seat belt extender in the Toyota Tacoma, always confirm that the seat belt itself is correctly fastened before the vehicle begins moving.
- The SRS front passenger airbag deploys with considerable force and may cause death or serious injury, particularly if the front passenger is positioned too close to the airbag. The front passenger seat should be moved as far away from the airbag as practical, while the seatback should be adjusted so that the passenger remains seated upright and well back in the seat. Maintaining a proper seating position helps reduce the risk of injury if the Toyota Tacoma SRS front passenger airbag deploys.
- Infants and children who are improperly seated and/or restrained can be killed or seriously injured by a deploying airbag. An infant or child who is too small to correctly use the vehicle's seat belt should be securely restrained in an appropriate child restraint system. Toyota strongly recommends that infants and children be seated in the rear seats of the vehicle and properly restrained. The rear seating positions are safer for infants and children than the front passenger seat, particularly because of the deployment force of the front passenger airbag.
- Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean forward against the dashboard. Sit upright with your back against the seatback and maintain adequate distance from the SRS front passenger airbag.
- Do not allow a child to stand in front of the SRS front passenger airbag or sit on the lap of a front passenger. A child positioned in this area could be exposed directly to the considerable force of an inflating airbag.
- Front seat occupants should never hold objects on their laps. During SRS airbag deployment, items positioned between an occupant and an airbag may be pushed forcefully toward the occupant and increase the risk of injury.
- Do not lean against the door, roof side rail, or the front, side, or rear pillar. These areas are close to components and deployment paths used by the Toyota Tacoma side and curtain shield airbag systems.
- Do not allow anyone to kneel on a seat facing toward the door or place their head, arms, or hands outside the vehicle. Occupants should remain properly seated and restrained within the passenger compartment.
- Do not attach objects to or lean anything against areas such as the dashboard, steering wheel pad, or lower portion of the instrument panel. These locations contain or are near SRS airbag deployment areas, and attached objects could interfere with proper inflation or be propelled into the cabin when an airbag deploys.
- Do not attach anything to areas such as the doors, windshield, side windows, front or rear pillars, roof side rails, or assist grips. Objects installed in or around these locations may obstruct the intended deployment path of the SRS curtain shield or side airbags.
- Do not hang coat hangers or other hard objects from the coat hooks. If the SRS curtain shield airbags deploy, these items could become dangerous projectiles, possibly resulting in death or serious injury. Keep the surrounding Toyota Tacoma curtain airbag deployment areas free from hard or unsecured objects.
- If a vinyl cover is attached to the area from which the SRS knee airbag deploys, be sure to remove it. Nothing should obstruct the normal deployment area of the knee airbag.
- Do not use seat accessories that cover the areas from which the SRS airbags deploy, as they may interfere with proper inflation of the SRS airbags. Such accessories may prevent the SRS airbags from deploying correctly, may disable normal system operation, or may contribute to unintended airbag inflation, possibly resulting in death or serious injury. Make sure any seat covering or accessory does not obstruct the designated airbag deployment sections.
- Do not strike or apply significant
force to components of the SRS airbag system,
the front doors, or their
surrounding areas. Strong impact or improper handling may damage SRS components or affect correct operation of the Toyota Tacoma airbag system.
Doing so may interfere with proper operation of the SRS airbags and could cause the system to malfunction when needed.
- Do not touch any SRS airbag components immediately after the airbags have deployed (inflated), as the components may become very hot and could cause burns.
- If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbags have deployed, open a door or window to let fresh air into the cabin, or exit the Toyota Tacoma if it is safe to do so. Wash off any airbag residue as soon as possible to help prevent skin irritation.
- If an area where an SRS airbag is stored becomes damaged, cracked, or otherwise compromised, have the affected component inspected and replaced by your Toyota dealer as necessary.
- Do not place anything, such as a cushion, on the front passenger's seat. A cushion may distribute the passenger's weight incorrectly and prevent the sensor from accurately detecting the passenger's weight. As a result, the SRS front airbags for the front passenger's seat may not deploy as intended in the event of a collision.
Modification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of the Toyota Tacoma or perform any of the following modifications without first consulting your Toyota dealer. Work performed on or around SRS components can affect the restraint system. The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy unintentionally, possibly resulting in death or serious injury.
- Removal, installation, disassembly, modification, or repair of the SRS airbags or their related components
- Repair, removal, or modification
of the following parts or the areas
surrounding them
- Steering wheel
- Instrument panel
- Dashboard
- Seats
- Seat upholstery
- Front pillars
- Side pillars
- Rear pillars
- Roof side rails
- Front door panels
- Front door trim
- Front door speakers
- Modifications to the front door panels, including making holes or other structural alterations in them
- Repair or modification of the following
parts or the areas surrounding them
- Front fender
- Front bumper
- Sides of the vehicle interior
- Installation of the following parts
or accessories when they could affect SRS airbag system operation
- Bull bars or kangaroo bars
- Snow plows
- Winches
- Roof luggage carriers
- Modifications to the Toyota Tacoma suspension that could affect vehicle characteristics or SRS system operation
- Installation of electronic devices such as mobile two-way radios (RF transmitters) and CD players without considering their potential effect on vehicle systems
- Modifications to the vehicle for a person with a physical disability without first consulting your Toyota dealer about components that may affect the SRS airbag system
