Toyota Recalls 50,000 US Vehicles Amid Concerns of Airbag Defects Leading to ‘Injury or Death’

Toyota has issued a “Do Not Drive” advisory for several models from 2003 to 2005 due to potentially lethal defects in Takata airbag inflators. This comes as part of the ongoing issues with Takata airbags, which have been linked to over 30 deaths since 2009. The defect in the airbag inflators can cause them to explode and release sharp metal fragments when deployed, posing a serious risk of injury or death to the driver and passengers.

READ: “Steelers vs. Patriots Showdown: High-Stakes Drama Unfolds at Acrisure Stadium! Will a Wounded Pittsburgh Bounce Back?

Toyota

The affected Toyota models include the 2003-2004 Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4. The advisory covers vehicles with Takata airbag inflators, which have become the subject of the largest motor industry safety recall in history, involving over 100 million products and more than 20 carmakers.

The long-standing issues with Takata airbags led to the company filing for bankruptcy in 2017, with its assets being sold to Chinese-owned Key Safety Systems. The recalls, lawsuits, and investigations surrounding Takata’s faulty airbag inflators spanned more than a decade and a half.

Toyota, one of the world’s largest carmakers, has faced additional challenges recently. The company suspended shipments of certain vehicles due to irregularities in certification tests for diesel engines developed by Toyota Industries. An investigation revealed that Toyota Industries employees manipulated horsepower output tests. The affected engines are used in 10 models globally, including the Hiace van and Land Cruiser SUV.

Toyota is also addressing a case of misconduct at its subsidiary Daihatsu, which admitted to falsifying safety tests dating back more than three decades. This has led to the revocation of certification for three Daihatsu models by the Japanese government. Toyota’s president, Koji Sato, acknowledged that there had been pressure to cut corners in an intensely competitive industry, leading to lapses in certification procedures.

Despite these challenges, Toyota reported selling a record 11.2 million vehicles in 2023, maintaining its position as the world’s top-selling carmaker for the fourth consecutive year. The company continues to grapple with various issues, emphasizing the need for comprehensive measures to address quality control and certification concerns across its operations.