As a result of the most recent action taken by Takata under its 2016 agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to fix defective airbag inflators, Toyota is adding vehicles to the series of safety recalls it has been conducting.
This latest recall includes certain 2010-2016 Model Year 4Runner, 2010-2013 Model Year Corolla, 2010-2013 Model Year Matrix, 2011-2014 Model Year Sienna, 2010-2015 Model Year Scion XB, 2010-2012 Model Year Lexus ES 350, 2010-2017 Model Year Lexus GX 460, 2010-2015 Model Year Lexus IS 250C, 2010-2015 Model Year Lexus IS 350C, 2010-2013 Model Year Lexus IS 250, 2010-2013 Model Year Lexus IS 350 and 2010-2014 Model Year Lexus IS-F vehicles. Approximately 1.3 million vehicles are involved in the United States.
The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger airbag inflators that contain a non-desiccated, phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant. A defect related to motor vehicle safety may arise in the inflators due to propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. Activation of a non-desiccated ammonium nitrate inflator with degraded propellant may result in an airbag inflator rupture. If a defective airbag inflator ruptures, it may cause sharp metal fragments to pass through the airbag and spray directly at the driver and passengers, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
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. Owners of all involved vehicles will receive direct notification by first class mail or other means starting in late January 2019.
