Toyota is urgently asking owners of certain older model vehicles not to drive them until their vehicles are repaired. The models are ones with recalled air bags that have not been repaired yet. The urgent advisory impacts roughly 50,000 vehicles.
The specific models affected are the:
Toyota says certain airbags found in the vehicles are under an URGENT airbag safety recall.
Here is the full advisory posted on Toyota's website:
PLANO, Texas (Jan. 25, 2024) – To further urge owners to obtain an urgent and free safety recall repair, Toyota is issuing an immediate DO NOT DRIVE advisory for certain model year 2003-2004 Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and model year 2004-2005 RAV4 vehicles in the United States involved in the Takata airbag recalls. Approximately 50,000 vehicles are involved in this notice.
Certain airbags found in the subject vehicles are under an URGENT airbag safety recall. Due to the age of the vehicles, if the airbag 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. Owners SHOULD NOT DRIVE these vehicles until the FREE safety recall repair has been conducted. Toyota urges owners to contact their local dealer instead of driving their vehicle to be repaired. Dealers may provide one of several options FREE of charge, such as mobile repair at the vehicle’s location, towing to the dealership, vehicle pickup and delivery, or other alternate transportation options.
Toyota will repair or replace the airbag for FREE. Toyota is notifying known owners of these vehicles every month through a variety of communication channels. To see if your vehicle is involved in a safety recall visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information.
For any additional questions, Toyota customer support is also available by calling the Toyota Brand Engagement Center (1-800-331-4331).
Photo Credit: Toyota.