Toyota Motor recently issued a crucial public statement, urging owners of 50,000 older US vehicles to cease driving immediately for recall repairs. The concern revolves around potential airbag inflator issues, identified as a risk that could lead to explosions, posing a serious threat to drivers.
The Japanese automaker specified a "Do Not Drive" advisory for certain models – the 2003-2004 Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4s – equipped with Takata airbag inflators. This precautionary measure follows a global pattern of more than 30 deaths, including 26 in the U.S., and numerous injuries linked to Takata airbag inflators since 2009. These inflators have been at the center of the largest auto safety callback in history, with over 67 million recalled in the U.S. alone by 20 automakers and a staggering 100 million worldwide.
Toyota clarified that the RAV4 recall focuses on the driver's airbag, while other recalls pertain to the front passenger airbag. Additionally, certain Corolla and Corolla Matrix models are subject to a second recall, potentially causing the airbag to deploy without a crash.
Past incidents involving older Takata airbag inflators prompted "Do Not Drive" warnings from other automakers, although Toyota did not disclose if this advisory resulted from a specific serious incident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration refrained from immediate comments.
Stellantis, Chrysler's parent company, previously warned 29,000 owners of 2003 Dodge Ram pickups to stop driving after a fatality linked to a Takata airbag inflator explosion. In November 2022, Stellantis urged owners of 276,000 other older U.S. vehicles to halt driving following three additional crash deaths tied to faulty Takata airbag inflators that year.
Honda Motor, in February 2023, issued a "Do Not Drive" warning for 8,200 Acura and Honda vehicles after a fatality involving a 2002 Accord in Kentucky. Honda reported 17 U.S. deaths and over 200 injuries linked to Takata inflator ruptures.