In a significant safety alert, Toyota has urged 50,000 owners of older US vehicles to cease driving immediately and seek recall repairs due to a potentially lethal airbag inflator issue. The advisory covers specific models manufactured in the early 2000s, including the Corolla, Corolla Matrix, and RAV4, equipped with Takata airbag inflators.

The Japanese automaker specifically highlighted the risk associated with these airbag inflators, citing the potential for explosions that could lead to fatalities. This move comes in response to the ongoing global concern surrounding Takata airbags, with over 30 reported deaths worldwide, including 26 in the United States, linked to these inflators since 2009. The inflators are notorious for exploding and propelling metal shards into the vehicle upon deployment.

Toyota’s recall focuses on certain 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix models, along with 2004-2005 RAV4s, with the “Do Not Drive” advisory being particularly crucial for the safety of affected vehicle owners. The recall specifies that the RAV4 recall pertains to the driver’s airbag, while other recalls involve the front passenger airbag exclusively. Some Corolla and Corolla Matrix models are also subject to a secondary recall, addressing a separate issue that could cause the airbag to deploy even in the absence of a crash.

The Takata airbag crisis has been a long-standing concern in the automotive industry, resulting in the recall of over 67 million inflators in the United States alone, affecting more than 20 automakers. Globally, the recall has surpassed 100 million inflators, marking it as the most extensive auto safety callback in history.

The urgency of the “Do Not Drive” advisory is underscored by the gravity of the potential risks associated with these defective airbags. Toyota’s proactive approach aims to prevent further accidents and injuries linked to the Takata inflators. However, the company has not disclosed whether this advisory was prompted by a specific serious injury or fatal incident involving one of the affected vehicles.

It is worth noting that Toyota is not the first automaker to issue a “Do Not Drive” warning related to Takata airbags. Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, issued a similar warning in July for 29,000 owners of 2003 Dodge Ram pickups after a fatal incident involving a Takata airbag inflator explosion. Stellantis had previously urged owners of 276,000 older US vehicles to stop driving immediately in November 2022, following three additional crash deaths associated with faulty Takata airbag inflators reported that year.

Honda Motor has also been grappling with the Takata airbag crisis, issuing a “Do Not Drive” warning in February 2023 for 8,200 Acura and Honda vehicles. This decision followed the death of a driver in Kentucky from a faulty Takata airbag inflator. Honda, having reported 17 deaths and over 200 injuries in the United States related to Takata inflator ruptures, highlights the severity and persistence of the issue across various automakers.

As Toyota takes swift action to mitigate the potential dangers posed by these defective airbags, the broader concern is the Takata airbag crisis, which further emphasizes the need for stricter and safer measures across the automotive industry.

Toyota specified that the RAV4 recall pertains to the driver’s airbag, whereas the remaining recalls exclusively address issues with the front passenger airbag. Additionally, specific Corolla and Corolla Matrix models are subject to a secondary recall, potentially leading to unintended airbag deployment without a collision.

Read Toyota’s recall announcement on their website.