Japanese automaker Toyota has on Monday, urged the owners of 50,000 older U.S. vehicles to get immediate recall repairs because an airbag inflator could explode and potentially kill motorists.
The company said certain Corolla, Corolla Matrix, and 2004–2005 RAV4 models with Takata air bag inflators from the 2003–2004 model year are covered by the “Do Not Drive” advice.
Since 2009, Takata air bag inflators have been connected to over 30 deaths globally (26 in the United States) and hundreds of injuries in vehicles made by different automakers. These explosions can release metal shards inside cars and trucks.
Over the last decade, more than 67 million Takata air bag inflators have been recalled in the United States by more than 20 automakers, and more than 100 million inflators worldwide, in the biggest auto safety callback in history.
Toyota said the RAV4 recall involves the driver’s airbag while the other recalls involve the front passenger airbag only.
There have been prior “Do Not Drive” warnings issued by other automakers for vehicles with older Takata air bag inflators after fatal crashes.
Toyota declined to answer if the “Do Not Drive” warning had been prompted by a serious injury or fatal incident involving one of the vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration did not immediately comment.
Chrysler-parent company Stellantis in July warned 29,000 owners of 2003 Dodge Ram pickups to immediately stop driving pending repairs after one person was killed when a Takata air-bag inflator exploded.
Chioma Kalu
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