Toyota Urges Immediate Action: 50,000 U.S. Vehicle Owners Urged to Pause Driving for Urgent Repairs

Highlights

• “Do Not Drive” advisory for specific models, including 2003-2004 Corolla, Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4s with Takata airbag inflators.
• Risk of airbag inflator explosions prompts the recall; potential severe threats to motorists.
• Recall part of a broader concern linked to Takata airbag inflators, responsible for over 30 global deaths and numerous injuries since 2009.
• Toyota’s proactive approach follows the extensive Takata airbag recalls impacting over 67 million inflators in the U.S. alone.
• Global recall surpasses 100 million inflators, marking the most significant auto safety callback in history.
• Specifics: The RAV4 recall targets the driver’s airbag; other recalls involve the front passenger airbag. Secondary recall for certain Corolla models due to potential spontaneous airbag deployment.
• No disclosure on specific incidents prompting the “Do Not Drive” warning, aligning with industry patterns.
• Similar warnings were issued by other automakers (Stellantis, Honda) in response to fatalities linked to Takata airbag inflator malfunctions.
• Industry grappling with ongoing safety concerns; Toyota’s proactive stance underscores the importance of prioritizing consumer safety and swift action.

Toyota Urges Immediate Repairs for 50,000 U.S. Vehicles Amid Airbag Safety Concerns

In a recent announcement, Toyota strongly advised owners of around 50,000 older U.S. vehicles to promptly address recall repairs due to potential safety hazards related to airbag inflators. The company has issued a “Do Not Drive” advisory specifically for certain models, including the 2003-2004 Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4s, all equipped with Takata airbag inflators.

According to Toyota, the urgency stems from the risk of airbag inflator explosions, which could pose severe threats to motorists, potentially resulting in fatalities. The recall, specifically targeting the mentioned models, is part of a broader concern related to Takata airbag inflators linked to over 30 global deaths, including 26 in the United States, along with numerous injuries since 2009.

This move by Toyota comes in the wake of the extensive Takata airbag recalls, encompassing more than 67 million inflators in the U.S. alone, involving over 20 different automakers. The global scale of the recall surpasses 100 million inflators, making it the most significant auto safety callback in history.

Toyota specified that the RAV4 recall pertains to the driver’s airbag, while other affected recalls involve the front passenger airbag exclusively. Additionally, certain Corolla and Corolla Matrix models are subject to a secondary recall due to issues that may cause the airbag to deploy without a crash.

While Toyota refrained from disclosing if the “Do Not Drive” warning was prompted by specific incidents, it aligns with a pattern seen in the industry. Other automakers, such as Stellantis and Honda, have issued similar warnings in response to fatalities related to Takata airbag inflator malfunctions.

Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, issued warnings in July and November 2022, advising owners of certain Dodge Ram pickups and 276,000 older U.S. vehicles, respectively, to cease driving immediately for repairs. Honda also issued a “Do Not Drive” warning in February 2023 for certain Acura and Honda vehicles following a fatal incident in Kentucky.

As the automotive industry grapples with ongoing safety concerns linked to Takata airbag inflators, Toyota’s proactive approach underscores the importance of prioritizing consumer safety and swiftly addressing potential risks associated with vehicle components.