Toyota warns 50,000 drivers of a potentially deadly problem
Toyota urged 50,000 owners of older vehicles to have an airbag inflator repaired that could explode and potentially kill road users.
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Toyota has issued a “no driving warning” for about 50,000 older vehicles in the United States, urging drivers to immediately stop driving the cars and get their airbags repaired.
The notice released by the automaker last Thursday affects the following models: 2003-2004 Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix and 2004-2005 RAV4.
These models are affected by the Takata airbag recalls, Toyota said in the statement: “Certain airbags found in the affected vehicles are subject to an urgent airbag safety recall.”
“Due to the age of the vehicles, when the airbag deploys, there is a higher chance that a part inside will explode, shooting sharp metal fragments that could result in serious injury or death to the driver or passengers,” Toyota said in the statement. “Owners should not drive these vehicles until the free safety recall repair has been completed.”
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Toyota says owners should contact their local dealer instead of driving the vehicle for repairs, and that dealers can offer one of several free options, such as: B. mobile repair at the vehicle's location, towing to the dealer, pickup and delivery of the vehicle or other alternative transportation options.
The company said it would repair or replace the airbag free of charge.
To see if your vehicle is affected by a safety recall, visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate number.
Owners with additional questions are asked to contact the Toyota Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Other current Toyota recalls
In late December, Toyota recalled nearly a million vehicles due to a risk of a short circuit in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor that could prevent the passenger airbag from deploying.
According to a release from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, dealers will inspect and replace the OCS sensor free of charge, and notification letters will be sent to vehicle owners on February 4.
The following models were affected by this recall:
- Avalon or Avalon Hybrid (2020 – 2021)
- Camry or Camry Hybrid (2020 – 2022)
- Corolla (2020 – 2021)
- RAV4 or RAV4 Hybrid (2020 – 2021)
- Lexus ES250 (2021)
- Lexus ES300H (2020 – 2022)
- Lexus ES350 (2020 – 2021)
- Lexus RX350 (2020 – 2021)
- Highlander or Highlander hybrid (2020 – 2021)
- Sienna Hybrid (2021)