Toyota and General Motors have warned owners of about 61,000 older corolla Matrix, RAV4 and Pontiac Vibe models to stop driving them because their Takata air bag inflators are at risk of exploding and hurling shrapnel.
In a notice on Monday, January 29, the warning specifically targets certain models, including Corolla compact cars and Matrix hatchbacks from the 2003 and 2004 model years, as well as the RAV4 small SUV from 2004 and 2005.
Additionally, around 11,000 Pontiac Vibes from 2003 and 2004, essentially identical to the Matrix and manufactured at the same California factory, fall under this urgent recall.
Most of the affected vehicles are in the United States.
Toyota Airbag Inflators
The reason behind this directive revolves around the Takata airbag inflators installed in these vehicles.
“If the air bag deploys, a part inside is more likely to explode and shoot sharp metal fragments, which could cause serious injury or death to the driver or passengers,” Toyota said in a statement.
The company disclosed that in a double blow to safety, the Corolla and Matrix are also subject to a separate recall due to the potential deployment of their airbags without a crash.
“The recalled RAV4s have Takata driver’s air bags while the Corolla and Matrix models have them on the passenger side.
The Corolla and Matrix also are under a separate recall because their air bags can be deployed without a crash, “the company said.
Also Read: Koji Sato to Become Toyota President in April
Vehicle Owners to Contact Local Dealers
To address this critical safety issue, both Toyota and General Motors urged affected vehicle owners to refrain from driving their cars and instead contact a local dealer.
Dealers will provide various options for addressing the problem, including mobile repair services, towing the vehicle to a dealer, or arranging for vehicle pickup and delivery.
Concerned owners were advised to check the status of their vehicles by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website to verify their safety.
“Owners can go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number to see if their cars are affected,” read the statement.
The urgency surrounding this recall is attributed to the use of volatile ammonium nitrate by Takata to create a small explosion for inflating airbags during a crash.
“However, over time, exposure to high temperatures and humidity can cause the chemical propellant to deteriorate, leading to excessive force during deployment, resulting in the airbag canister rupturing and releasing shrapnel,” the company added.
Also Read: Death Reported as Four Vehicles Collide Along Nakuru-Eldoret Highway
Tragically, according to Toyota at least 26 people have lost their lives in the U.S. due to Takata inflators since May 2009, and the global toll stands at 30 fatalities.
This includes incidents in Malaysia and Australia and approximately 400 people have sustained injuries.
The safety concerns surrounding Takata airbags eventually forced the company into bankruptcy, marking the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history with about 100 million inflators recalled worldwide.
