Toyota warns drivers of 50,000 vehicles to stop driving immediately
Toyota has issued an urgent recall notice for approximately 50,000 older vehicles, warning owners to immediately cease driving them due to a critical airbag safety issue. The recall specifically targets the following models:
- 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla
- 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix
- 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4
The core concern is the aging airbags in these vehicles, which pose a significant risk. Due to the deterioration over time, there's an increased likelihood that a component within the airbag system could explode during deployment. This malfunction could result in sharp metal fragments being propelled inside the vehicle, leading to severe injuries or even fatalities.
Toyota's strong advisory to owners is not to drive these vehicles until the necessary safety recall repairs have been carried out. These repairs or replacements of the faulty airbags will be conducted free of charge.
To minimize risks to owners, Toyota recommends against driving these vehicles to dealerships for repair. Instead, owners should contact their local Toyota dealer, who will provide alternative arrangements. These may include mobile repairs conducted at the vehicle’s location or towing services to transport the vehicle safely to the dealership.
This recall is particularly focused on the Takata airbags, which have been at the center of a global safety scandal. The RAV4 models have problematic Takata airbags on the driver's side, while the Corolla and Corolla Matrix models are affected on the passenger side. Additionally, the Corolla and Matrix models face a separate recall issue, where airbags may deploy unintentionally even without a collision.
Previously, Toyota had to recall around 1 million vehicles in the U.S. due to concerns that front passenger airbags might not deploy correctly in an accident, posing an increased injury risk.
The root of the Takata airbag issue lies in the use of ammonium nitrate as a propellant, which can degrade over time, especially in high-humidity environments. This degradation can lead to excessively forceful explosions, rupturing the airbag's metal canister and turning it into deadly shrapnel. The Takata airbag issue has been linked to numerous fatalities and injuries globally, ultimately leading to the bankruptcy of Takata Corporation in Japan.
Vehicle owners can determine if their vehicle is part of this critical recall by visiting Toyota's website and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license number at Toyota.com/recall. Alternatively, they can check on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website at nhtsa.gov/recalls. For further assistance, Toyota's customer support is available at the Toyota Brand Engagement Center, contactable at 1-800-331-4331.