Toyota Motor Corp. says it is recalling another 543,000 vehicles in the U.S. for defective front passenger air bag inflators made by Japan’s Takata Corp.
Takata is at the center of a massive recall of inflators that can explode in a crash, spewing metal shrapnel inside the vehicles.
Toyota said Friday that the recall includes various models of sedans and SUVs made between 2006-2012. Among those recalled are the 2008-2009 Scion xB; 2009 and 2012 Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2007-2009 and 2012 Toyota Yaris, 2012 4Runner and Sienna and various versions of Lexus made between 2006-2012.
Takata uses the chemical ammonium nitrate to cause a small explosion designed to inflate the air bags in a crash. At least 16 people have been killed worldwide and about 180 have been injured.
More than 100 million vehicles involving 17 automakers have been recalled worldwide, including 69 million in the U.S. alone, underscoring the scale of the crisis. Because of the scope of the recalls, the replacements are going to take years.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Get rid of air bags! In 1992 an illegal alien side swiped me, lost control and air bag deployed. Explosion split my forehead 1″ vertically- painful! I did not need the bag and have a scar for life time.
Ammonium nitrate is a high explosive commonly used for blasting and is not suitable for use as an airbag inflater. That’s why they are exploding and spraying shrapnel, the inflater cannot contain the pressure generated by this high explosive and blows apart, the pieces becoming shrapnel.
Ironically, air bags are worthless to experienced and well trained drivers who have developed the subconsciously ingrained reflex-like automatic habit of disengaging a clutch or shifting to neutral—manual or automatic or CVT transmission or transaxle; doesn’t matter—in a hard stopping situation. As you may already know, the sensors that trigger air bag deployment are not energized in neutral, or reverse… Driving icy roads at ‐25°F requires every tactic possible when some fool driver cuts you off or comes at you with a vehicle. On occasion even when doing so—that is, using every tactic possible—you still can’t avoid a collision when some fool driver cuts you off or comes at you with a vehicle. At least you don’t get your hearing damaged by the sound of the explosion that inflates an air bag. Don’t take my word for it, research that detail for yourself. At ‐25°F brittle aging plastic covers over air bags have the potential to break into shards and become lethal shrapnel akin to that from metal air bag inflator canisters. Plus if your eyes have developed posterior vitreous detachment and you see more flashes of light (photopsia) when you get jostled or quickly move your head from side to side, getting forcibly hit in the face by an air bag might very well result in retinal detachment. And people who wear glasses have been blinded by their glasses by having an airbag hit them in the face. Air bags are only designed to be a supplemental restraint and what effectiveness they do have is only designed to be effective between 25 mph and 40 mph. Air bags maim, if “only” one’s hearing. John from above states he has a facial scar due to an air bag; air bag which was and is unnecessary. I suspect he would rather his vehicle have had a four point or five point safety harness—proper seat belts—restraint system for the driver rather than a dangerous and potentially debilitating three point seat belt with a supplemental air bag “restraint” system. As for ammonium nitrate, it can cause extensive and accelerated corrosion of metal. Which can be a major danger factor as metal air bag inflator canisters in vehicles in non-arid locations or locales age. To quote john [sic]: “Get rid of air bags!”
the recall is useless,because ,you have to keep driving ,the dangerous car.
they should be forced to furnish a car for you to drive,until the bags are replaced.
i don’t want to drive an unsafe car and neither should you.
who wants to keep driving,an unsafe car?
boycott or sue the dealer you purchased the car from.
why isn’t my comment published?