Toyota and General Motors are advising the owners of approximately 61,000 older models, including Corolla, Matrix, RAV4, and Pontiac Vibe, to refrain from driving them due to the potential danger posed by their Takata airbag inflators.
There is a significant risk of these inflators exploding and releasing shrapnel.
The urgent advisory issued on Monday specifically pertains to certain Corolla compact cars and Matrix hatchbacks manufactured during the 2003 and 2004 model years, along with the RAV4 small SUV from 2004 and 2005.
Additionally, it includes approximately 11,000 Pontiac Vibes from 2003 and 2004, essentially identical to the Matrix and produced at the same California factory. The majority of these vehicles are located in the United States.
Toyota stated that in the event of air bag deployment, there is an increased likelihood of an internal component exploding and projecting sharp metal fragments.
This has the potential to result in severe injury or fatalities for both the driver and passengers.
RAV4 and Corolla/Matrix: Airbag Recall Alert
The recalled RAV4 vehicles are equipped with Takata driver’s airbags, while the Corolla and Matrix models feature these airbags on the passenger side.
Notably, the Corolla and Matrix are also subject to a separate recall due to the potential deployment of their airbags without a crash, as indicated by the company.
Both manufacturers advise owners to refrain from driving the affected cars and instead contact a local dealer for necessary repairs.
Dealers will present various options, including mobile repair services, towing the vehicle to the dealership, or arranging for vehicle pickup and delivery.
Owners can check the status of their vehicles by visiting nhtsa.gov/recalls and entering their 17-digit vehicle identification number.
Ammonium Nitrate in Takata Airbag Deployment
Takata employed volatile ammonium nitrate to generate a controlled explosion for inflating airbags during a collision.
However, this chemical propellant is susceptible to deterioration over time, particularly in conditions of high temperatures and humidity.
Such deterioration can lead to an explosive deployment with excessive force, causing the rupture of a metal canister and the release of shrapnel.