Skip to main content

Toyota recalls 50,000 US vehicles over airbag 'injury or death' fears

Toyota has urged owners of 50,000 older vehicles in the US to get immediate repairs as airbag inflators made by Takata could explode and kill them.

The "Do Not Drive" advisory covers some of the world's biggest carmaker's models from 2003 to 2005.

Since 2009, more than 30 deaths have been linked to air bag inflators produced by Takata.

Toyota says "if the airbag deploys, a part inside is more likely to explode and shoot sharp metal fragments".

The vehicles involved are the 2003-2004 model Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4.

Serious issues with Takata airbag inflators have resulted in the biggest motor industry safety recall in history, involving more than 100 million products and over 20 carmakers.

After more than a decade and a half of recalls, lawsuits and a criminal investigation in the US, Takata filed for bankruptcy in 2017. Its assets were sold to Chinese-owned Key Safety Systems, for about $1.6bn (£1.3bn).
This is not the only issue Toyota has been dealing with in recent months.

This week, the Japanese car giant suspended shipments of some vehicles because of irregularities in certification tests for diesel engines, which were developed by Toyota Industries.

An investigation found that Toyota Industries employees manipulated horsepower output tests.

The affected engines are used in 10 models sold globally, including the Hiace van and Land Cruiser sport utility vehicle, Toyota said.

Toyota is also seeking to resolve a case of misconduct at small car specialist Daihatsu, after it admitted falsifying safety tests dating back more than three decades.

Late last year, Daihatsu headquarters were raided by Japan's transport ministry and global shipments of the vehicles were suspended. The government has since revoked certification of three Daihatsu models.

When asked this week about the scandals at Toyota's subsidiaries, president Koji Sato acknowledged that workers had felt pressure to cut corners in an intensely competitive industry.

"We recognise that not only people at the testing site but also management did not have proper understanding of certification," he said.

Separately on Tuesday, Toyota said it sold a record 11.2 million vehicles in 2023, cementing its position as the world's top selling carmaker for a fourth year in a row.

Its nearest rival, Germany's Volkswagen, sold 9.2 million vehicles last year.

Popular posts from this blog

#Watchvideo : SECURITY FORCES BURST THE CAMP OF UNKNOWN GUNMEN IN AKOKWA

Security Forces in the state through a coordinated intelligence report has bursted the camp of the unknown gunmen at Akokwa, Arondizuogu after a long gun duel which resulted to the death of some of the criminals and others arrested. These criminal elements have been known to be behind several attacks in the state such as the killing of police men in Mbaise, Aba Branch in Ehime Mbano, burning down of police stations, attack and attempted kidnapping of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, abduction of Miss. P.P. Johnson, a female soldier in Okigwe and recently the attack in Akokwa that left many dead. It is obvious that these daredevil gunmen have been perpetuating their evil plans unabated until yesterday when their camp was bursted by security agencies. This is another assurance that our security operatives are leaving no stone unturned in the fight against banditry and other related activities. While it has become obvious that the activities of these non state actors are politically motivate...

BREAKING: 2Baba Shot Dead In Rivers State

A notorious cult leader and the prime suspect in the brutal murder of the late Divisional Police Officer, SP Bako Angbashim, in the state, Gift Okpara, popularly referred to as 2Baba, has been reportedly killed in a police-led major security raid. The police and other security agencies were said to have conducted land and aerial raids at the identical hideout of the Iceland cult leader and his gang at Idu-Ekpeye in Ahoada East local government area of Rivers on Saturday, February 17. According to  The Nation , the Iceland cult leader was reportedly feared dead after the operation.   Recall that in September 2023, the late DPO was ambushed and captured by the cult group led by 2Baba in the Odiemudie community, Ahoada East LGA.   2Baba and his gang then took the DPO to the forest, where they killed him and dismembered his body. The cultists then filmed him. Another source, Obi, said he saw no less than 15 vehicles and an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) during th...

Prominent Leaders Pay Tribute to Late Sen Ifeanyi Ubah, at Anambra Community Candlelight Procession in Awka

Hundreds of mourners, friends, well-wishers, media representatives, and party faithful gathered are presently at Emmaus House in Awka for a candlelight procession to honor the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.  Chief Egwuonwu in his speech expressed his deep grief over the loss of his friend and brother, Senator Ubah, saying it's hard to find words to convey his emotions. However, he says that he finds solace in the tremendous impact Senator Ubah had on the lives of those he encountered. Chief Owelle Mbaso, leader of Anambra Former Political Appointees in paying glowing tribute said that Senator Ubah led a life worthy of emulation. He said "he knew he wouldn't pass this way again,reason he ensured he impacted on several life's without expecting anything in return." Mr Linus Williams, BLord in a glowing tribute recounted how Late Senator Ubah helped him when he was wrongly accused of sponsoring terrorism. He said " even though I have not meet him or seen ...