Toyota SA in airbag recall

TOYOTA South Africa is aiming at a recall of 730 000 vehicles so that it can replace defective front airbag inflators.

The company is currently recalling various Toyota models that were fitted with Takata-produced airbag inflators.

Toyota told Xinhua that certain types of airbag inflators manufactured by Japanese supplier Takata were found to have a potential for moisture intrusion over time.

The vehicle manufacturer said this could create excessive internal pressure when the airbag is deployed and cause the inflator to rupture.

“Toyota and many other motor manufacturers worldwide are recalling vehicles for potentially defective Takata airbag inflators.

“Globally, there are close to 100 million vehicles affected across several brands.

“At Toyota South Africa we have 730 000 vehicles affected,” said Mzolisi Witbooi, corporate public relations manager at Toyota South Africa. Toyota South Africa said in the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material, striking and possibly injuring the occupants in the event of an accident.

However, Witbooi said the company had not received any reports of accidents or deaths caused by the defective Takata airbags inflators.

“There have been zero deaths reported to Toyota worldwide as a result of the airbags,” he said.

“The problem is also not restricted to Toyota’s Hilux.

“It is an industry-wide problem. Every vehicle fitted with a Takata airbag pre-2015 is potentially affected,” he said.

Toyota is recalling Hilux, Rav4, Fortuners (from July 2003 to December 2005), Yaris models, RunX and Corolla (built from 2002 to 2007). Depending on the model, the replacement of the car component would be free and it only takes a day, said Witbooi. – Xinhua/African News Agency (ANA)