Toyota SA to recall over 700,000 vehicles.
- Frederik Herholdt
- Jan 27, 2018
- 2 min read
According to an official at Japanese car maker, Toyota: Toyota South Africa (SA) initiated a recall to more than 700,000 vehicles due to an issue with airbags used in cars.
The reason behind the huge recall is defective Takata safety bags - airbags used in cars. An official from Toyota stated that 10 models are affected, including some Lexus models. Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese car maker Toyota.
This isn't the first in the motoring industry, Takata airbags has caused multiple safety issues and recalls across a few car brands in recent years.
Toyota states that they do not want their customers to hesitate about their safety. Toyota has a recall page on their website which "aims to assist customers with immediate information on whether their car is affected by a recall or special service campaign." Go to page: here
The recall page states: “Toyota SA Motors has initiated a recall campaign to replace Takata-produced front airbag inflators,”
What is the cause?
According to the recall page on the Toyota website: An issue with the inflators may cause them to rapture and this results in small metal fragments that blow through the airbag cushion material. This ultimately causes airbags to fail in staying inflated or even not inflate at all.
How can this be resolved by affected Toyota owners?
The recall page states that affected owners will be notified by a Toyota dealer to bring their vehicle in for the service action. If owners wish to speed up the process they can enter their car’s VIN on the site, using the “Is my vehicle affected”, to see if they are included in the recall campaign.
"Repairs to defective airbags will be conducted free of charge," said Toyota in another statement.
Which models are affected?
Toyota released a list of models affected:
Auris: 2007-2012
Avensis: 2003-2007
Corolla: 2002-2007
Corolla: 2007-2014
Fortuner: 2006-2014
Hilux: 2006-2014
RAV4: 2003-2007
Run-X: 2002-2007
Toyota further established a dedicated helpline to locate customers affected by the Takata issue: 0800 139 111
Update: A statement from Toyota on the recall.
"Toyota South Africa confirms that it is conducting a recall campaign related to potentially defective Takata airbag inflators.This is not a new recall for Toyota SA, but an ongoing campaign that commenced in July 2015. It affects some 730,000 locally-sold Toyota and Lexus models (currently 10 different model ranges) produced between 2002 and 2015. Please note that airbags were not standard on all Toyota models produced during this period.Toyota SA would like to stress that the Takata recall campaign is a precautionary measure as there have been no injuries or fatalities reported in South Africa linked to the potentially faulty airbag inflators.Affected customers are contacted directly by Toyota SA as well as their dealers to bring their vehicles in for the repair which is conducted free of charge. Toyota SA has established a dedicated Takata Call Centre to locate affected customers."
Posted 27 January 2018 - Frederik Herholdt
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