Released in showrooms the first week of June, NHTSA has already reported the first recall on the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S. Fire risk? Airbag defect? Unintended Acceleration? Firestone tires? Nope.
The recall lies in the literature within the owners manual. According to authorities, the first printed copies of the manual offer an inaccurate description of the vehicle's front passenger airbag, violating Federal Safety Standard 208 for causing possible confusion to those reading the handbook (what owner of a brand new sports car has time to read the manual anyway?). According to spokesmen from both automakers, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the airbag itself.
Toyota spokesman Mike Michels wrote in an email to Inside Line in response to the query, "It is a really small matter. There is an error in the owners' manual regarding the operation of the airbag system. It has to do with federally required wording. Subaru, as the manufacturer, actually provides the owner's manual and was the company filing the non-compliance information report. Owners will be provided with corrected owner's manuals. There is absolutely no safety issue or actual defect with the cars."
Toyota has announced that the recall affects 1156 Scion FR-S sports cars while Subaru announced a scope of 1,600 BRZ coupes.
If you are the proud owner of a 2013 Scion FR-S or 2013 Subaru BRZ, expect to receive a one-page insert for your owner's manual.
