Toyota Urges Owners of 50,000 Cars to Stop Driving Immediately Due to Faulty Airbags

On January 29, 2024, Toyota issued a "Do Not Drive" advisory to the owners of approximately 50,000 vehicles in the United States due to the risk of potentially deadly airbag explosions. The affected vehicles are equipped with Takata airbag inflators that have been linked to 26 deaths and hundreds of injuries in various automakers' vehicles since 2009.

The Affected Vehicles:

The recall covers certain 2003-2004 model year Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4s. These vehicles are equipped with Takata driver-side and/or passenger-side frontal airbags that could rupture upon deployment, potentially sending metal fragments flying into the vehicle cabin and causing serious injuries or death to occupants.

The Risk:

The specific reason for the inflator ruptures is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the propellant used in the airbags degrading over time, especially when exposed to high heat and humidity. When the airbag deploys, the degraded propellant can explode with excessive force, causing the metal inflator housing to break apart and send shrapnel into the vehicle interior.

What Toyota is Doing:

Toyota is urging owners of the affected vehicles to stop driving them immediately and contact their local Toyota dealer to schedule a free repair. The repair involves replacing the faulty Takata inflators with new, safer ones. Toyota has already recalled millions of vehicles globally due to Takata airbag issues, and this latest recall is part of a wider effort to address the problem.

What Owners Should Do:

If you own one of the affected vehicles, it is crucial to:

• Stop driving the vehicle immediately.
• Contact your local Toyota dealer to schedule a free repair appointment.
• Do not wait for a mailed notification, as the risk of serious injury or death is high.
• You can check if your vehicle is included in the recall by visiting the Toyota website or using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's VIN lookup tool.

The Importance of Recalls:

Vehicle recalls are issued by manufacturers to address safety defects that could pose a risk to drivers and passengers. It is important to take recalls seriously and have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible. Ignoring a recall could put you and others at risk of serious injury or death.

Conclusion:

Toyota's latest recall is a reminder of the importance of vehicle safety and the potential dangers posed by faulty airbags. If you own one of the affected vehicles, please take action immediately to have it repaired and avoid driving it until the recall is addressed.

Additional Information:

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a website with information about the Takata airbag recall, including a list of affected vehicles and how to get a free repair.
• Toyota has a customer service hotline that you can call for more information about the recall: 1-800-331-4331.