A critical recall notice for Toyota Echo & RAV4 MY2003-2005 supplied by Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited due to defective airbags.
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited — Toyota Echo & RAV4 MY2003-2005
PRA No.
2015/14700
Date published
18 May 2015
Campaign number
BGG22
Product description
Critical Recall
Toyota Echo NCP10 and NCP13 model vehicles
Model Years 2003-2005
Toyota RAV4 ACA22 and ACA23 model vehicles
Model Years 2003-2005
Front driver side airbag inflators
56 391 affected vehicles
Identifying features
VIN (Vehicle identification number)
See attached VIN list
Critical VIN list.xlsx (782.07 KB)
What are the defects?
Takata airbag inflator: As it gets older, a combination of high temperatures and humidity can cause the airbag inflator propellant to degrade. If an affected vehicle is involved in a collision triggering the airbag, the metal inflator housing may explode/rupture under too much internal pressure.
What are the hazards?
In the event that a defective airbag inflator ruptures, metal fragments may propel out through the airbag cushion towards the vehicle occupants causing serious injury or fatality.
What should consumers do?
Owners of affected vehicles are advised that their vehicle is now under 'critical recall’. The ‘critical recall’ category applies to alpha airbags and also includes other airbags specified by Toyota. Due to the location of the faulty Takata airbag inflator in the vehicle (driver-side) and the inflator being older than 6 years, the airbag poses a heightened safety risk of injury or death. At this stage of the Takata recall, Toyota is now prioritising vehicles with affected Takata inflators on the driver-side as a critical recall. Owners should take immediate steps to have the airbag inflator replaced.
It is strongly recommended that owners of these vehicles stop driving their vehicles immediately . Toyota has undertaken to offer to arrange for your vehicle to be towed to the place of replacement so that you do not have to drive your vehicle to be fixed if you do not want to do so.
Owners of affected vehicles should contact their local Toyota dealership or Toyota’s head office directly by phoning 1800 987 366 or emailing guestexperience@toyota.com.au to arrange for a replacement airbag inflator free of charge .
Consumers who are unsure whether they are affected can also use Toyota’s VIN look-up tool at http://recalls.toyota.com.au/#/ or contact Toyota on 1800 987 366 or contact their preferred dealer.
Alternatively, consumers can use their registration plate number to check if their vehicle is affected by going to http://www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au
We also recommend you visit https://www.productsafety.gov.au/newsletter/subscribe to subscribe to receive updates about current and future recalls as they are published.
Further information for consumers is available at: https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls/compulsory-takata-airbag-recall
Supplier
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited
Traders who sold this product
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited
Where the product was sold
Nationally
Responsible regulator
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is the responsible regulator for this recall.
