Since the Takata airbag recall just started, Toyota has recently told owners of Corollas, Matrices, RAV4, and Pontiac Vibes to stop driving their cars. Along with General Motors, the company says that the Takata airbags could blow up.
It applies to different models of Corolla and Matrix hatchbacks made from 2003 to 2004. The warning was sent out on Monday. Additionally, it includes RAV4s created between 2004 and 2005 and almost 11,000 Pontiac Vibes created between 2003 and 2004.
There was a statement from Toyota that said, “If the airbag deploys, a part inside is more likely to explode and shoot sharp metal fragments, which could seriously hurt or kill the driver or passengers.”
The driver’s side of these RAV4s has Takata airbags, while the passenger side of Corollas and Matrixes has them. Toyota says the airbags can go off without an accident, so there is a separate recall for the Corolla and Matrix.
Many types and brands of cars have had problems with Takata airbags. In fact, it is known that the Takata airbag has killed at least 26 people in the US since 2009 and hurt somewhere around 400 others. The biggest problem with Takata airbags is that they can blow up with a lot of force, blasting metal bits into the air. It has this flaw because it was exposed to high heat and humidity. Because of the problem with the airbags, Takata in Japan had to file for bankruptcy.
Customers of both General Motors and Toyota were told that to get their cars repaired, they should contact a dealer near them instead of driving them there themselves. Some shops may offer different services, such as towing the car and bringing it to the dealership, mobile repair, or picking up and delivering the vehicle.
By typing their 17-digit vehicle identification number on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website (nhtsa.gov/recalls), car owners can find out if their cars are affected. The website will then confirm if your car has been affected or not.
