Takata airbag inflators have the potential to explode and kill drivers, so Toyota has advised owners of 50,000 older cars in the US to get repairs done right away.
The models from 2003 to 2005 from some of the largest automakers in the world are covered by the “Do Not Drive” advisory.
Takata air bag inflators have been connected to over 30 deaths since 2009.
According to Toyota, “a part inside is more likely to explode and shoot sharp metal fragments if the airbag deploys.”
It further stated that those pieces “may cause serious injury or death to the driver or passengers.”
The Corolla 2003–2004 model, Corolla Matrix 2003–2004 model, and RAV4 2004–2005 model are the cars that are part of the recall.
With over 100 million products and 20 automakers involved, the largest motor industry safety recall in history is the result of serious problems with Takata airbag inflators.
In 2017, Takata filed for bankruptcy following over fifteen years of recalls, legal actions, and a criminal investigation in the United States. For roughly $1.6 billion (£1.3 billion), its assets were sold to Chinese-owned Key Safety Systems.
It’s not just this problem that Toyota has been facing lately.
This week, anomalies in the certification tests for diesel engines—which were created by Toyota Industries—led the Japanese automaker to halt the shipment of certain cars.
Employees of Toyota Industries were found to have manipulated horsepower output tests through an investigation.
According to Toyota, the impacted engines are found in ten models that are sold worldwide, including the Land Cruiser sport utility vehicle and the Hiace van.
In addition, Toyota is attempting to settle a misbehavior case at Daihatsu, a specialty car manufacturer, after it was discovered to have fabricated safety tests going back more than thirty years.
The Japanese Transport Ministry raided Daihatsu’s headquarters late last year, leading to the suspension of the cars’ international shipments. Since then, three Daihatsu models have had their certification revoked by the government.
In response to inquiries this week regarding the scandals at Toyota’s affiliates, President Koji Sato said that employees had experienced pressure to take short cuts in a fiercely competitive sector.
“We acknowledge that management and employees at the testing site did not fully comprehend certification,” he stated.
In a related announcement on Tuesday, Toyota stated that it sold a record 11.2 million cars in 2023, solidifying its place as the best-selling automaker globally for a record four years running.
Volkswagen of Germany, its closest rival, sold 9.2 million automobiles in the previous year.