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Toyota has issued an advisory to owners of approximately 50,000 vehicles to stop driving immediately. According to CBS News, the advisory was released on Thursday, January 25.
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More Details Regarding The Advisory From Toyota
According to the company’s official press release, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, and RAV4 vehicles are listed under the advisory. The exact models include the 2003-2004 Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and model year 2004-2005 RAV4 vehicles.
Additionally, the cars are under an “urgent airbag safety recall.”
“Due to the age of the vehicles, if the airbag deploys, a part inside is more likely to explode and shoot sharp metal fragments which could cause SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH to the driver or passengers,” the release reads.
Therefore, Toyota is urging owners of these vehicles to refrain from driving them until they’ve had a free safety recall repair.
Fox 35 Orlando notes that the 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibes vehicle, which is reportedly “essentially the same” as the Corolla Matrix, is also included in the recall.
Furthermore, the outlet adds that the impacted vehicles contain Takata airbags. The airbags reportedly contain a “volatile ammonium nitrate,” which inflates the object during a crash. However, the chemical can deteriorate over time and explode with excessive force.
Fox 35 Orlando reports that 400 have been injured in the airbags’ explosions, while 26 people have been killed in the U.S. and at least 30 have died worldwide. The outlet notes that the incidents have ultimately sent Takata into bankruptcy.
More Information Regarding Repairs & How To See If Your Vehicle Is Impacted
Additionally, the company is urging owners to contact their local dealerships instead of driving their vehicles in for repairs.
“Dealers may provide one of several options FREE of charge, such as mobile repair at the vehicle’s location, towing to the dealership, vehicle pickup and delivery, or other alternate transportation options,” the release continues.
According to the press release, Toyota will repair or replace the airbags of impacted vehicles for free. Additionally, the release states that the company is contacting vehicle owners through “a variety of communication channels.”
Those interested in learning if their vehicle is impacted can visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls. Once there, enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information.
Vehicle owners can also call the Toyota Brand Engagement Center for customer support at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Recently Issued Another Recall
As The Shade Room previously reported, Toyota initiated a recall of 2013-2018 RAV4 SUVs in November 2023. At the time, it was revealed that the vehicles were at risk of sparking fires due to incorrectly sized replacement batteries shaking loose upon sharp turns.
“Some replacement 12-volt batteries of the size specified for the subject vehicles have smaller top dimensions than others. If a small-top battery is used for replacement and the hold-down clamp is not tightened correctly, the battery could move when the vehicle is driven with forceful turns,” Toyota reportedly explained per CNN. “The movement could cause the positive battery terminal to contact the hold-down clamp and short circuit.”
