~ Do Not Drive Alert ~
Toyota and GM join the ranks of companies issuing Do Not Drive alerts for vehilcles with unrepaired Takata air bags
A recall has been issued by Toyota and GM, along with a Do Not Drive alert, for around 61,000 vehicles from a handful of models built and sold about two decades ago, but potentially just as dangerous as any other vehicles that have been part of the more than a decade long recall saga involving defective Takata air bags.
Several models of older vehicles, like this 2004 Corolla, are being recalled by Toyota and GM for potentially explosive air bag inflators. Photo source: Gene Presley Transon.
The vehicles involved in the particular recall are: the 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla, the 2003-2004 Toyota Matrix, the 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe (which was built on the same platform as the Matrix, in the same factory), and the 2003-2005 Toyota RAV4.
Due to the propellant used, that can become unstable over time under certain conditons, as Toyota explains: "If the air bag deploys, a part inside is more likely to explode and shoot sharp metal fragments, which could cause serious injury or death to the driver or passengers."
Consumer Reports has compiled an extensive article titled:
"Takata Airbag Recall: Everything You Need to Know", which covers the details, history, and vehicles involved in this massive recall saga, including the vehicles mentioned in this article.
Toyota and GM have contacted vehicles owners multiple times, with the available contact information in their systems, and Toyota says it continues to contact known vehicle owners every month, in order to make them aware of this critical recall. You can also enter your VIN number in
NHTSA's recall checker, to see if your vehicle is affected by this (or any other) safety recall.
As with all recall repairs, the airbags will be replaced, free of charge to vehicle owners, at a respective dealership, and some dealerships are also providing extra support in the form of vehicle towing, rentals, and/or onsite mobile repair service. Vehicle owners can find out what options are avaialable when they schedule a repair appointment.
For more information, vehicle owners can call Toyota's customer support line at 800-331-4331 or the GM customer service line at 586-596-1733 and mention the Takata air bag recall and their particular model and year.
Read more at Central Oregon Daily News:
If you drive one of these, you're urged to park it until air bags are replaced
Also at Kelley Blue Book:
Toyota, GM Issue Do Not Drive Order for Older Corolla, Matrix, RAV4, Pontiac Vibe Models
See if your vehicle is affected:
nhtsa.gov/recalls
** If you already own this recalled vehicle, get it fixed right away. The repairs are usually free for you, since federal law requires auto manufacturers to cover the cost of safety recall repairs for at least 15 years from when the vehicle was first sold.
If you're shopping for a car, truck, or SUV,
BEWARE!!! Even the big, fancy car dealerships are selling massive numbers of hazardous recalled vehicles with deadly defects. They just don't bother to get potentially lethal defects fixed first. They also trick their customers into signing "disclosures" written by corporate lawyers in an attempt to evade any liability if you or your family, or others are severely injured or killed.