Toyota Urges Immediate Recall for 50,000 U.S. Vehicles with Faulty Air Bags

In a significant safety advisory, Toyota is urgently urging owners of around 50,000 U.S. vehicles to take immediate action due to a severe risk associated with defective air bags. The “Do Not Drive” advisory, released on Thursday, specifically covers certain models of the 2003-2004 Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and the 2004-2005 RAV4, all linked to the ongoing Takata air bag recall.

Owners are sternly warned against driving these vehicles until the necessary safety recall repairs have been carried out, emphasizing the heightened danger posed by the age of the affected vehicles. The defective Takata air bag inflators have the potential to explode, projecting sharp metal fragments, and posing a severe threat to the driver and passengers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) attributes the risk to prolonged exposure of the air bag’s chemical propellant to high heat and humidity.

The ongoing Takata air bag recall has become one of the largest and most complex recalls in U.S. history, involving approximately 67 million defective Takata air bags across at least 19 vehicle manufacturers. Since 2004, this recall has been underway, with at least 27 reported deaths and over 400 injuries linked to the defective Takata air bag inflators in the United States.

A Toyota spokesperson stated that this latest “Do Not Drive” advisory is a crucial effort to reinforce the ongoing Takata recall. The company aims to boost repair rates, especially among owner populations who may have received multiple communications about the recall. Toyota commits to repairing or replacing the air bags free of charge.

Erin Witte, the director of consumer protection for the Consumer Federation of America, highlights the broader issue within the U.S. auto market. Witte points out that consumers are burdened with ensuring their cars get fixed, raising concerns about dealers selling cars with known life-threatening safety defects.

This Toyota advisory follows the automaker’s recall of millions of vehicles in December for a different air bag issue related to a sensor defect that could prevent air bags from deploying.

To check if your vehicle is subject to a safety recall, visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls, and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information. The VIN is typically located on the lower left driver side of the car’s windshield, the car’s registration card, or the insurance card.
In light of these urgent safety concerns, it is crucial for affected vehicle owners to take immediate action, ensuring their safety and the safety of others on the road.

In a significant safety advisory, Toyota is urgently urging owners of around 50,000 U.S. vehicles to take immediate action due to a severe risk associated with defective air bags. The “Do Not Drive” advisory, released on Thursday, specifically covers certain models of the 2003-2004 Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and the 2004-2005 RAV4, all linked to…