This week’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) update is monopolized by one of the largest Japanese automakers in existence. The Toyota Motor Corporation lands on the “hot seat” this week logging nearly three-quarters-of-a-million units in three separate campaigns.
Sedans, hatchbacks, pickup trucks, SUVs, and even a Pontiac (manufactured by Toyota) populate this list of affected vehicles. Log onto BestRide.com, the internet’s premier new and used car website, regularly for the latest NHTSA safety recall updates, as well as automotive news and views and millions of new and used car, truck, van, and SUV listings from all over the U.S. You can even sign up for free e-mail price drop alerts on your favorite vehicles.
Remember to look inside of the driver door jamb (most vehicles) to find the production date (Month/Year) of your ride. This will help you to determine whether or not it is currently under a NHTSA safety recall campaign.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V286000
Toyota Recall Campaign number: 14V-655 (Extension)
Vehicles Affected: Certain 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. Approximately 300,000 vehicles are expected for inclusion in this recall campaign.
Cause: The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture or suffer from improper deployment in the event of a motor vehicle crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.
Concern: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants. Additionally, the air bag may deploy improperly, thus increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger seat occupant.
Correction: Toyota will notify owners with detailed instructions for locating qualified dealers who will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-762-2737.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V285000
Toyota Recall Campaign Number: 14V-312
Vehicles Affected: Certain 2004 Toyota Sequoia vehicles manufactured from August 18, 2003 through August 19, 2004 and 2003-2004 Toyota Tundra vehicles manufactured from March 18, 2003 through August 25, 2004. Approximately 176,631 vehicles are expected for inclusion in this recall campaign.
Cause: A defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator may produce excessive internal pressure, causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts.
Concern: In the event of a motor vehicle crash necessitating deployment of the front passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Correction: Toyota will notify owners with specific instructions for locating qualified dealers who will replace the front passenger air bag, at no charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
NOTE: This recall is an expansion of 14V-312.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V284000
Toyota recall Campaign Number:
Vehicles Affected: Certain 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured from May 13, 2003 through October 25, 2005.Approximately 159,700 vehicles are expected for inclusion under this recall campaign.
Cause: The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which could cause the inflator to rupture or the air bag to deploy abnormally.
Concern: In the event of a motor vehicle crash, necessitating deployment of the driver’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the driver or other occupants. Additionally, the air bag may deploy abnormally, increasing the risk of injury to the driver.
Correction: Toyota will notify owners with specific instructions for locating qualified dealers that will replace the driver’s frontal air bag, free of charge. Owners will be notified by mid-July 2015. An interim notice will be mailed if parts are not available at that time. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
