As the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) continues to investigate a wide-ranging Takata airbag issue, 247,000 new vehicles were added to the growing number of recalled units, as new recalls now cover five Toyota and Lexus models, plus one from defunct carmaker Pontiac.
Takata airbag recalls have affected over 12 million vehicles since the early 2000s, and these new recalls were brought about by a faulty front passenger airbag inflator, where the propellant used to deploy the airbags is too strong, resulting in the airbags exploding instead of providing cushion. In some cases, this has caused shrapnel to fly when the airbags come in contact with the passenger, and three deaths have been attributed to the ongoing issue, with the possibility of a fourth.
The new recall covers about 247,000 Toyota Corolla, Matrix, Sequoia and Tundra units, as well as the Lexus SC and Pontiac Vibe, all of which were manufactured between 2001 and 2004. Especially at risk are owners of the aforementioned vehicles from high-humidity areas, particularly Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and several Caribbean and Pacific countries.
According to the NHTSA, Toyota will be responsible for all Toyota and Lexus recalls, while General Motors will be in charge of the Pontiac Vibe. Recall notices should be sent out to owners no later than October 25, and upon receipt of the notices, owners can have their vehicles’ airbags repaired for free. If replacement parts aren’t available, dealers would disable the front passenger airbag and place a warning advising people not to use the front passenger seat as long as a new inflator hasn’t been installed.