Toyota Motor Sales USA announced late on Tuesday that it is conducting a safety recall of approximately 482,000 vehicles to correct an issue with the curtain shield air bags.

The action by Toyota is unrelated to the ongoing Takata airbag recall.

Included in the campaign is the Toyota Prius from the 2010 through 2012 model years, the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrids from the 2010 and 2012 model years as well as the 2011 and 2012 Lexus CT 200h.

The automaker explained the involved vehicles are equipped with curtain shield air bags (CSA) in the driver and passenger side roof rails that have air bag inflators composed of two chambers welded together. The OEM indicated 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. 

“This has been observed when the vehicle is parked and unoccupied for a period of time,” officials 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,” Toyota went on to say.

The company added that all known owners of the involved vehicles will be notified by first class mail.  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,” officials said.