Toyota Urges Immediate Halt to Driving for 50,000 US Vehicle Owners

Jan 30, 2024 02:25 AM EST

TOYOTA PERSON DRIVING CAR — (Photo : PEXELS/Sindre Fs)

Toyota warns drivers of 50,000 older vehicles in the U.S. to stop driving immediately and get their airbags fixed due to a potential deadly airbag inflator issue. The affected vehicles include 2003-2004 model year Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4s with Takata airbag inflators.

Toyota Warns: Stop Driving Over Airbag Inflator Issue

Toyota is calling for immediate recall repairs for owners of 50,000 older U.S. vehicles due to a serious airbag inflator issue. These inflators for airbags could explode. Drivers can suffer fatalities because of the explosion. Reports shared that the Japanese automaker's "Do Not Drive" advisory pertains to specific vehicles, including the 2003-2004 model year Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4s, all equipped with Takata airbag inflators.

Takata airbag inflators have been associated with more than 30 deaths globally, including 26 in the United States, as well as numerous injuries in vehicles from various manufacturers since 2009. This issue involves the inflators exploding and releasing dangerous metal fragments inside cars and trucks.

In response, over the past decade, more than 67 million Takata airbag inflators have been recalled by over 20 automakers in the United States alone, with a staggering 100 million inflators recalled worldwide, marking the largest automotive safety recall in history.

Reports also stated that, following fatal accidents, several automakers had already advised drivers to "Do Not Drive" vehicles equipped with older Takata airbag inflators. Toyota did not share information regarding whether a serious injury or a fatal incident involving one of the impacted vehicles led to the decision to issue a "Do Not Drive" warning.

Meanwhile, CBS News cited Toyota's statement that it is strongly advised that owners refrain from driving these vehicles until the free safety recall repair has been carried out. Toyota advises customers to contact their local dealer instead of taking their cars to a repair facility. In addition, the dealer can arrange for the automobile to be brought to the dealership or arrange for a mobile repair to be done at the vehicle's location.

More for Toyota: Current Challenges Aside from Airbag Inflator Issue

Toyota got its hands full with a list of issues to address involving its vehicles. Aside from the airbag inflator issue leading to its recent recall, Toyota is also facing other issues. As reported in BBC, this week, the major Japanese automaker halted the delivery of certain vehicles due to discrepancies in certification tests for diesel engines, which were created by Toyota Industries.

Employees of Toyota Industries were found to have fabricated assessments of horsepower output. According to Toyota, these engines are found in ten different models that are offered for sale globally, including the Hiace van and the Land Cruiser SUV.

Furthermore, Toyota is actively working to address a misconduct issue at Daihatsu, a company specializing in small cars, following their admission of falsifying safety tests going back over thirty years.

Moreover, this week when inquired about the controversies surrounding Toyota's affiliated companies, President Koji Sato admitted that employees had experienced pressure to take shortcuts in a fiercely competitive sector.