3,224 Toyota Hilux GR-S units have a potentially dangerous problem with its sports bar
Toyota has just reiterated an announcement regarding the Hilux GR-S. In what the company calls a “New Special Service Campaign” (SSC), it was indicated that there is an urgent need for the sports bar installed on the range-topping GR-S Hilux variant to be replaced. The fault lies in the brackets which Toyota will replace – along with the sports bar itself – to avoid any untoward incidents. No, accidents.
Hilux GR-S Sports Bar bracket may crack and pose a real hazard
Photo: Toyota
The SSC (or what we’d normally refer to as a recall) affects what Toyota totals to 3,224 Hilux GR-S units. Those that were produced anywhere from July 27, 2023, and April 24, 2024, were specifically identified in the announcement. In the official notice posted on the Toyota website, it stated “Involved vehicles are equipped with a sports bar affixed through brackets. Under certain severe usage conditions, the brackets may crack causing the sports bar to potentially detach from the vehicle. If this occurs, it could become hazardous to other vehicles and pose a safety risk for pedestrian traffic”.
Photo: Toyota
By now, Hilux GR-S owners who have affected units will have already received an Official Notification Letter along with an invitation to bring their vehicle into a dealership and have the faulty part replaced with “a new and improved one at NO COST to the vehicle owners”. Yes, it’s free, but there’s a bit of a catch, though.
As of now, the specific replacement part is not yet available, but bringing one’s Hilux GR-S in will allow the Sports Bar to be removed so as to prevent potential problems from occurring. Once the parts become available, the owners will be contacted by representatives from Toyota to bring their Hilux back to the dealership for installation.
Photo: Toyota
In case you’re a Hilux GR-S owner, it may be prudent to check with your sales agent if yours falls within the affected production dates. Alternatively, you can take note of your Hilux’s VIN and check it on the Toyota Motor Philippines Service Campaign coverage page or scan the QR code you’ll find in the second image above. It’s always best to be safe than sorry, especially with a fault like this that can cause major damage and injury to property and life alike.
Thanks for the tip, Toyota! We hope you get the replacement parts soon so the affected Hilux GR-S owners don’t have to wait too long.
