Toyota Urges Owners Of Old Corolla, Matrix And RAV4 Models To Park Them Until Takata Air Bags Are Replaced

DETROIT — Takata air bag recall, Toyota and General Motors warn owners of around 61,000 older Corolla, Matrix, RAV4, and Pontiac Vibe cars not to drive them because their Takata airbag inflators could explode and throw shrapnel.

An urgent warning. Monday’s coverage includes:

• Some Corolla compact vehicles.
• Matrix hatchbacks from the 2003 and 2004 model years.
• The RAV4 small SUV from 2004 and 2005.

Also included are around 11,000 Pontiac Vibes from 2003 and 2004, identical to the Matrix and manufactured at the same California plant. The majority of the automobiles are in the United States.

“If the air bag 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 company said in a press release.

Toyota Urges Owners Of Old Corolla, Matrix And RAV4 Models To Park Them Until Takata Air Bags Are Replaced

Takata driver airbags are installed in the recalled RAV4, whereas Corolla and Matrix vehicles have them on the passenger side. According to the manufacturer, the Corolla and Matrix are also being recalled separately because their airbags can deploy without a crash.

Both businesses advised owners to contact a local dealer rather than driving their automobiles for repairs. Dealers will offer options such as mobile repair, towing to a dealer, and vehicle pickup and delivery.

Toyota Urges Owners Of Old Corolla, Matrix And RAV4 Models To Park Them Until Takata Air Bags Are Replaced

Owners can see if their vehicles are affected by going to nhtsa.gov/recalls and entering their 17-digit VIN.

Takata employed volatile ammonium nitrate to cause a minor explosion in a crash, inflating airbags. However, high temperatures and humidity can cause the chemical propellant to deteriorate over time. It can potentially detonate violently, destroying a metal canister and spilling shrapnel.

Toyota Urges Owners Of Old Corolla, Matrix And RAV4 Models To Park Them Until Takata Air Bags Are Replaced

Since May 2009, Takata inflators have killed at least 26 individuals in the United States and at least 30 people around the world, including Malaysian and Australian citizens. In addition, over 400 individuals have been hurt. Takata of Japan declared bankruptcy as a result of exploding airbags.

The possibility of a dangerous malfunction prompted the greatest round of auto recalls in US history. Approximately 100 million inflators were recalled worldwide.

SOURCE – (AP)