Toyota has issued a warning to the owners of around 50,000 older vehicles in the United States, urging them to promptly address potential s...
Toyota has issued a warning to the owners of around 50,000 older vehicles in the United States, urging them to promptly address potential safety issues with airbag inflators manufactured by Takata. The advisory specifically applies to models produced between 2003 and 2005 and encompasses some of Toyota's prominent vehicles.
The cautionary message advises against driving these vehicles due to the risk of airbag inflators, which, if deployed, may lead to an internal part exploding and ejecting hazardous metal fragments. Toyota emphasizes the severe consequences, stating that these fragments pose a significant threat of causing serious injuries or even death to both drivers and passengers.
The affected vehicles subject to the recall include the 2003-2004 model Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4. This action is part of the ongoing challenges associated with Takata airbag inflators, contributing to the largest safety recall in the automotive industry's history. Over 100 million products from more than 20 carmakers have been involved in this extensive recall since 2009, with over 30 deaths linked to faulty Takata airbag inflators.
Takata, facing a history of recalls, lawsuits, and a US criminal investigation, filed for bankruptcy in 2017, subsequently selling its assets to Chinese-owned Key Safety Systems for approximately $1.6 billion (£1.3 billion).
In addition to the airbag issue, Toyota has faced other recent challenges. The company temporarily halted shipments of certain vehicles this week due to irregularities discovered in certification tests for diesel engines, developed by Toyota Industries. An investigation revealed that employees at Toyota Industries had manipulated horsepower output tests. The impacted engines are utilized in 10 globally sold models, including the Hiace van and Land Cruiser sport utility vehicle.
Furthermore, Toyota is addressing a case of misconduct at Daihatsu, a small car specialist it owns, after Daihatsu admitted to falsifying safety tests dating back more than three decades.
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