Deadly Airbags Force Toyota and Lexus to Recall 1.7 Million Vehicles: What to Know to Stay Safe

[Rhiannon12866]

On Wednesday, Toyota, Lexus and Scion announced the recall of 1.7 million North American vehicles that were manufactured with deadly Takata front passenger airbag inflators.

The recall is part of the largest series of recalls in automotive history, the Takata Airbag Safety Recall. So far, the recall has involved 19 automakers and tens of millions of airbags.

The Takata inflators can explode with too much force upon deployment, making it possible that they would hurl deadly shrapnel at passengers. At least 23 people have been killed worldwide as a result of the airbags, according to USA Today.

This latest recall is for certain Toyota, Lexus and Scion models.

Affected Toyota models include the 2010 through 2016 4Runner, the 2010 through 2013 Corolla, the 2010 through 2013 Matrix and the 2011 through 2014 Sienna.

Lexus models included in the recall are the 2010 through 2012 ES 350, the 2010 through 2017 GX 460, the 2010 through 2015 IS 250C, the 2010 through 2013 IS 250, the 2010 through 2013 IS 350 and the 2010 through 2014 IS-F.

One Scion model is also included in the recall: the 2010 through 2015 XB.

A press release from Toyota states that the companies will replace the affected airbags for free, and that owners of the affected vehicles should receive notification in the mail.

“Depending on the vehicle model, Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace either the front passenger airbag inflator or airbag assembly at no cost to owners,” the release says. “Owners of all involved vehicles will receive direct notification by first class mail or other means starting in late January 2019.”

Owners can also check if their vehicle is eligible for the recall here: https://www.toyota.com/recall


(Short article, no more at link): https://people.com/travel/toyota-lexus-recall-deadly-airbags/

[PJMcK]

1. Takata must really suck

This recall covers A LOT of vehicles.

Meanwhile, our Honda CRV has an airbag recall that we're getting replaced later today.

Six months ago, our Hyudai sedan had the same recall.

According to the notices, Takata makes the airbags.

They make shitty products, don't they?

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Apparently they're terribly dangerous

This isn't the first time I've read about recalls for the airbags - and they do appear to be in an awful lot of cars. It's fortunate that you're getting them replaced, it's scary that some don't know or don't bother - but it sounds like this is serious enough that they're making a diligent effort to let owners know.

[PJMcK]

3. The recall/replacements are free to the owners

It's not even a really big hassle just 30-45 minutes.

But people have died from the explosive devices. You wonder if they might have survived their crashes had there been no airbags.

I had a crash about 5 years ago and the airbag inflated. I remember my face bouncing off the side of it. Glad it was there!