Toyota Issues Recall Of 50,000 Vehicles, Advising Against Driving

Thousands of older model vehicles are being recalled by Toyota due to a potential danger that may result in the airbags exploding.

According to Toyota, approximately 50,000 vehicles, including the 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix, as well as the 2004-2005 RAV4, are affected by the issue of Takata airbag inflators. There is a potential risk of these inflators exploding and resulting in severe harm or fatality.

In statement from Toyota, the advanced age of the vehicles increases the risk of the airbag exploding and releasing dangerous metal pieces that could result in severe harm or even death to the driver or passengers. As a precaution, the company advises owners not to operate these vehicles until the necessary safety recall repair has been completed at no cost. This information can be found on Toyota’s official pressroom website.

The car manufacturer is urging owners to reach out to their nearby dealer rather than driving to have the problem resolved. The company has stated that certain dealers may provide the option of towing the vehicle to the dealership, sending a mechanic to the vehicle’s location, or arranging alternative means of transportation.

To check to see if your vehicle is part of the recall, owners can go to Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and input their vehicle identification number or license plate information.

Since 2009, the defective Takata airbags have been the cause of over two dozen fatalities and numerous injuries in the United States. This failure has resulted in the worldwide recall of approximately 100 million units and has compelled Takata, a Japan-based company, to declare bankruptcy.