Toyota is advising the owners of 50,000 older cars to get their airbags replaced and to cease driving their cars right away. The cars should not be driven until the defective airbags have been fixed or replaced, according to the voluntary recall.
The recall notice, issued on Thursday, covers these models:
- 2003-2004 Corolla
- 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix
- 2004-2005 RAV4
The manufacturer stated that because of the airbags’ advanced age, there is a higher chance that a component could burst and send jagged metal pieces flying, potentially causing fatalities or severe injuries.
In the notification, Toyota stated that owners “SHOULD NOT DRIVE these vehicles until the FREE safety recall repair has been conducted.”
Toyota stated that to have the cars fixed, it is advised that owners not drive them. Alternatively, automobile owners should get in touch with their neighborhood dealer, who can make arrangements for a variety of alternative solutions, such as having a mobile repair done at the vehicle’s location or having the car towed to the dealership.
Airbags made by Takata
The driver’s airbags on the Takata RAV4s that are under recall are located on the passenger side of the Corolla and Matrix models. According to the business, there is an additional recall for the Corolla and Matrix because their airbags can deploy without a collision.
The voluntary recalls coincide with a month-long Toyota vehicle recall involving about one million vehicles in the United States due to a potential defect in the front passenger airbag system, which might result in an increased risk of injury to drivers.
To inflate airbags in a collision, Takata employed volatile ammonium nitrate to cause a little explosion. However, exposure to high temperatures and humidity over time might cause the chemical propellant to degrade. When it explodes too forcefully, it can eject shrapnel and blow apart a metal canister.
Since May 2009, Takata inflators have claimed the lives of at least 26 persons in the United States and at least 30 people globally, including individuals in Malaysia and Australia. Additionally, there have been roughly 400 injuries. Japanese company Takata went bankrupt as a result of the blow-up airbags.
According to the automaker, the airbag will be replaced or fixed at no cost.
You can use your license plate number or VIN to check if your car is covered by the recall by visiting nhtsa.gov/recalls or Toyota.com/recall. Owners of cars can also contact Toyota customer service by calling 1-800-331-4331 at the Toyota Brand Engagement Center.
