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Cadillac Luxury Sedan Recalled Over Sensor Issue

November 6, 2019 Sean Reyes Cadillac Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – November 5, 2019 – General Motors recently notified dealers that it would have to recall a small population of its Cadillac CT6 luxury sedans due to a problem with their tire pressure sensors.

In all, just 81 CT6 sedans from the 2020 model year will be recalled – 100% of which were identified as having this issue. The company noted that similar vehicles that did not have the accessory wheels installed at their dealers are not included in this recall.

The defect

Specifically, these vehicles – all produced between August 1 and September 9, 2019 – came equipped with specific accessory wheels that had been installed by dealers, but which do no meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard rules related to tire pressure monitoring systems.

This is because their sensors do not use the proper wireless radio frequency to communicate with the vehicle’s computer, and as a consequence, the system may not be able to properly alert drivers – via a warning light on the dashboard – that tire pressure has dropped to potentially dangerous low levels.

The problem at the heart of the issue is that incorrect part numbers for the tire pressure sensors were put into GM’s ordering system.

Ideally, the automatic system would turn on the warning light after 18 minutes of driving at least 28 miles per hour on tires with low pressure, but because of the mismatched radio frequency, this would not occur.

As a result, drivers may not know of the risks they face unless they manually check their tire pressure before or after a trip. Low pressure can have a detrimental effect on vehicle handling or lead to tire failure, both of which would increase the risk of an accident.

Timeline of events

In September, General Motors received a report about the issue through its Speak Up for Safety program that the wrong tire pressure sensors had been installed on the affected CT6 sedans with specific accessory wheels.

On September 24, the company opened an investigation into the issue, consulting with subject-matter experts and the company’s regulatory engineers.

The GM Open Investigation Review board looked at the findings of this examination on Oct. 7 and recommended that the company issue a recall.

Two days later, the GM Safety Field Action Decision Authority followed through on that recommendation.

The solution

Upon receiving their recall notices, owners should take their affected CT6 sedans to a certified GM dealer, where all four tire pressure sensors will be replaced with proper parts that use the right wireless frequency to communicate with the vehicle.

Given that these are all 2020 model year vehicles, the repairs are covered by warranty and no reimbursement will be offered.

The investigation also found that the incorrect part number that led to the wrong sensors being installed was corrected within GM’s ordering system on September 11. This means that all accessory kits shipped to dealers after that date had the correct sensors.

Dealers were notified of the recall on October 15, and owner notification dates are yet to be decided.

Check your car’s recall status using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mercedes-Benz faces recall over window trim

November 6, 2019 Sean Reyes Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – Nov. 4, 2019 – Mercedes-Benz USA recently had to issue a recall for a number of light sport utility vehicles in its 2020 model year for issues related to mounted rear window trim bars that were installed outside of company specifications.

Altogether, nearly 13,800 vehicles were involved in the recall, all of which are believed to carry this defect. This includes the following light SUVs, all in the 2020 line:

10,068 GLE350 4MATICs
2,290 GLE450 4MATICs
1,148 GLS450 4MATICs
22 GLS580 4MATICs
1 GLE350

It is believed 100% of the specific vehicles in the recall carry the defect in question. Those light SUVs were identified via production records, and many have non-sequential vehicle identification numbers. However, many other vehicles sharing the same model year but which outside the recall group have trim bars that were installed properly.

The Defect

Specifically, all those vehicles – each one a GLE-Class or GLS-Class light SUVs produced between Aug. 23, 2018, and Sept. 27, 2019 – have a trim bar fastening on the rear door windows that could, under certain driving conditions, separate from the vehicle entirely. While this would not pose a likely risk to the drivers of these vehicles themselves, others around them on the road could be injured or become more likely to crash as a result of such a detachment.

The issue arises due to a tolerance deviation at the supplier, and unfortunately drivers of these vehicles will not be able to detect whether their fastenings are at risk for failure.

Timeline of Events

Around mid-August of this year, Daimler Auto Group – which controls Mercedes-Benz USA – received a report of a situation in which one such rear door window fastening failure occurred on a GLE-Class light SUV. The company then began an investigation into the issue, to better understand how it began and what could happen in the event of a failure. Over the course of about six weeks, the investigation determined that the issue came at the supplier level, and it would need to be addressed in short order.

On Sept. 27, the company determined that it could not rule out this issue becoming a safety problem for the other affected vehicles, and ordered the voluntary recall at that time.

The Solution

Drivers who receive the recall notice should return to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. There, technicians will check the fastening on the rear door windows and, if necessary, rework them so that they once again fall within specification at no cost.

However, the company does not plan to provide any notice about pre-notice reimbursements for owners of these vehicles, as all the affected models are within warranty, given that they are in the 2020 model year. The company also noted that as of Sept. 27, the design tolerances of the parts DAG receives from the Kentucky-based supplier has changed, so no further issues of this type will occur.

Mercedes-Benz dealers were first notified of the voluntary recall on Oct. 11, and owners of these vehicles will receive their own notifications around the first week of December.

For additional information about this recall, consumers can contact Mercedes-Benz USA via phone at 1-877-496-3691, or call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

For more information on this or other recalls past or present, visit MotorSafety.org.

Chrysler Announces Recall on Certain Ram 1500 Trucks

November 1, 2019 Sean Reyes Chrysler Recalls, RAM Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – October 31, 2019 – The recall of certain 2014 – 2019 Ram 1500 trucks, including some 1500 Classic Pickup vehicles, was announced by Chrysler earlier this month.

All trucks involved with the recall are equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines that have been outfitted with a faulty exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler.

The defect

The safety recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains that the issue involves the EGR coolers on vehicles listed for the recall. The defect leaves the coolers susceptible to thermal fatigue.

“Thermal fatigue may cause the cooler to crack internally over time,” stated Chrysler’s own description of the defect within the safety recall report.

“An EGR cooler with an internal crack will introduce pre-heated, vaporized coolant to the EGR system while the engine is running … potentially resulting in combustion within the intake manifold, which may lead to a vehicle fire.”

More than 100,000 vehicles are involved in the recall, all of which are expected to contain the defect. Chrysler utilized engine assembly plant records and other information to determine which vehicles were built with the “suspect” EGR coolers.

Timeline of events

The first signs of the defect came in May 2019, when an investigation was opened into engine compartment fires in Ram 1500 3.0L Eco Diesel trucks, according to the chronology report provided by Chrysler.

An inquiry running through October revealed numerous instances of warranty reports and associated repair orders that were related to the defect.

Meetings with diesel engineers and vehicles inspected from other countries allowed the manufacturer to “better understand the fire dynamics involved, and to rule out climate as a potential exacerbating factor.”

The decision to conduct a vehicle recall was made on October 17, after Chrysler had identified more than 60 field reports potentially related to EGR cooler failure.

The solution

According to paperwork Chrysler has filed with the NHTSA, the recall itself is expected to begin sometime in December 2019, although the remedy itself remains under development at the current time.

For more information on vehicle recalls, be sure to use MotorSafety.org’s free look-up tool.

GM Recalls Numerous Vehicles Due to Electronic Stability Control Malfunction

November 1, 2019 Sean Reyes Chevrolet Recalls, GMC Recalls

December 16, 2021 Update – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has remedied issues with 524,144 models dealing with a software error that can cause unintended braking. Additionally, 2,577 models including the 2020 Tahoe and the 2020 Yukon have been categorized as unreachable, and 26 models have been removed from the recall. These models were remedied in 3 different years, the first group in 2019, four groups in 2020, and two more were fixed in 2021 by these incorrect calibrations in the EBCM which has also presented other software errors in many other GM models.

Laguna Hills, CA. – November 1, 2019 – General Motors recently informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of a recall involving five different vehicle models including the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, all of which share the same defect.

Affected vehicles include:

2015 – 2020 Chevrolet Suburban
2015 – 2020 Tahoe
2015 -2020 Yukon
2014 – 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive

The defect

According to the official report regarding this issue filed by GM with the NHTSA, the vehicles involved in the recall contain a defect caused by incorrect axle-ratio calibrations in the vehicles’ electronic-brake control module (EBCM).

The flaw can cause the module to incorrectly calculate the speed of a wheel that has a faulted wheel-speed sensor. In specific operating conditions and vehicles, this can trigger the vehicle’s driveline protection system at an inopportune time.

“If a wheel speed sensor fails in these vehicles, a software error in the vehicle’s EBCM can cause the vehicle’s driveline protection system to activate when (i) the vehicle’s electronic transfer case is set to four-wheel drive or automatic mode, and (ii) the vehicle is driven between the speeds of 41 and 60 MPH,” stated GM’s report on the matter.

“If the [system] activates, the driver will experience unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, which can be considered as one of the many failures that increase the risk of collision in different brands and models.”

Timeline of events

The first report involving the recall arrived May 21, when a GM dealer submitted a warranty report to the manufacturer involving a 2018 GMC Yukon whose owner reported that, while driving between 40 and 45 MPH, the brakes were involuntarily applied and caused the vehicle to pull leftward.

A test of the vehicle confirmed the report, and further investigations revealed all the vehicles which might contain the defect.

“GM and ZF (the EBCM supplier) isolated the condition to certain K2 platform vehicles equipped with 5.3-liter engines, four-wheel drive, and 3.08-ratio rear axles, and to specific operating conditions,”

the chronology report provided by GM explained.

The decision to conduct the recall was made official on Oct. 17.

The solution

Owners of vehicles involved in the recall will be notified sometime in the near future, although the exact schedule has yet to be set. Authorized dealers will reprogram the EBCM for affected automobiles on behalf of GM, free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 650,000 vehicles are included in this GM recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

McLaren Sennas Recalled Over Compromised Engine Harness

October 30, 2019 Sean Reyes McLaren Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – Oct. 28, 2019 – McLaren Automotive announced it’s recalling a select number of Senna vehicles due to the possibility the model’s engine harness makes contact with a metal link pipe heat shield. This may result in chafing, which could ultimately damage the wiring and perhaps cause the engine to power down. Such a scenario increases the risk of crash for motorists.

McLaren has not announced when it intends to inform registered owners about this 2018-2019 Senna recall, but when the automaker does so, operators are encouraged to bring their car to an area dealer for a free repair.

The Defect

In filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.K.-based automaker McLaren is recalling an estimated 129 2018-2019 Senna two-door sports cars nationwide. The fear is that a constituent part of the engine harness may weaken and touch a metal link pipe heat shield. The abrasive rubbing that may ensue over time could cause the heat shield wrap to breach, exposing circuitry bunched within the harness itself. A number of potential consequences may occur as a result of the harness contacting the heat shield, including loss in engine power, reduced torque or the engine stalling. Any of these outcomes raises the risk of a crash.

Timeline of Events

McLaren first received warning about this engine issue back on Aug. 1, so it decided to run some tests to see if the scenario would play out in trial analysis. The inquiry concluded that while there was evidence of chafing, it wasn’t so significant as to expose the wiring in the harness bundle.

Nevertheless, the next day McLaren began a comprehensive investigation into whether the issue was anomalous or systemic and why it happened in the first place. Seventy-two hours later, on Aug. 5, results confirmed the issue was not isolated and a full-on voluntary recall was warranted. This decision was made on Aug. 14.

The Solution

Although the British nameplate has not given any indication as to when motorists will be notified, it does know how to fix the problem. Those informed by first-class mail should bring their Sennas to an authorized dealer. The repair will come at no cost to owners.

For more information on the 2018-2019 Senna recall and others that are recent, visit MotorSafety.org.

Hyundai Issues Two Recalls Related to Loose Parts

October 30, 2019 Sean Reyes Hyundai Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – Aug. 4, 2022 – Hyundai Motor America has remedied issues with 732 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles due to issues with the lower control arm ball joints that could detach and cause accidents. Additionally, 3 of these Hyundai Tucson models have been categorized as unreachable and 1 has been removed from the recall. One group of 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles were remedied in 2019, four groups in 2020, and one more group was remedied in 2021 for this issue with the lower control arm ball joints.

Laguna Hills, CA – Oct. 28, 2019 – Hyundai Motor America, an automaker with few recalls to speak of in 2019, is issuing advisories to owners of its 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. There are two separate issues for the 2020 Elantra, one involving the lower control arm ball joint – which may also affect the Ioniq Hybrid – and the other potentially loose wheel lug nuts on the passenger-side right-rear wheel. Either of these problems manifesting themselves raises the risk of a crash and subsequent injury.

The small-scale recall is expected to begin shortly after Christmas. Owners who receive notifications alerting them to these problems are advised to contact their nearest Hyundai dealer so the appropriate repair work can be performed, which will be free of charge.

The Defect

Hyundai is recalling a total of 792 models over performance issues that could lead to the loss of control for operators of the compromised automobiles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicles involved are as follows:

2019 Ioniq Hybrid
2020 Elantra

The Ioniq Hybrid and Elantra may have lug nuts that weren’t installed snuggly enough during the manufacturing and assembly process, which are believed to be on the back-right side of the vehicle. The 2020 Elantras may also have ball joints whose fasteners could be poorly tightened, which may cause the lower control arm to detach completely.

In either of these cases, a wheel or ball joint separating from the vehicle raises crash risk concerns that may also lead to an injury for the parties involved.

Timeline of Events

Whenever safety recalls are publicized – whether mandatory or voluntary – NHTSA publishes a Part 573 Safety Recall Report. These summarize recalls by detailing vehicle information – type, body style, power train, etc. It also includes data on when the cars were assembled and a chronology that pinpoints the months that certain actions were taken, such as when precisely the automaker discovered a potential issue. This report was not available at press time, however.

Prior to these most recent Hyundai recalls, the last one occurred back in January. At the time, Hyundai removed 100,000 Santa Fe Sport and Sonata vehicles from the marketplace. This was done mainly for confirmation purposes to ensure that fuel tubes to the high-pressure pumps were installed correctly. The fuel tube recall took place originally in 2015 and 2017, according to a Hyundai press release.

During this same month, Kia Motors – an affiliate of Hyundai – recalled approximately 68,000 Optima, Sorento and Sportage models over engine fire fears resulting from defective high-pressure fuel lines.

When safety recalls are announced, automakers opt to extend the warranties in place so they’re for more years or additional miles. Motorists affected by the most recent Hyundai recalls may want to get in touch with dealership they bought their automobiles from to find out more.

The Solution

While it’s unclear how many of the nearly 800 potentially problematic Hyundai contain the aforementioned flaws, owners should prioritize getting their vehicles checked out to know for sure. The Fountain Valley, California-based nameplate will distribute notifications by first-class mail starting Dec. 27. If appropriate, the parts in question will either be replaced or simply tightened.

For more information on these most recent Hyundai recalls or for other safety issues, visit MotorSafety.org. Enter your VIN in to determine if you may be one of the 25% of car owners who has an unaddressed recall.

Another Recall Ordered For Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek Vehicles

October 30, 2019 Sean Reyes Subaru Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – Oct. 29, 2019 – Approximately 205,000 hatchbacks and SUVs distributed and manufactured by Subaru of America are due to be recalled over concerns that the engine may power off as a result of a faulty PCV valve. The vehicles in question, Impreza and Crosstrek, are also subject to a separate recall related to potentially damaged electronic control modules.

This particular Impreza and Crosstrek recall is scheduled to occur Dec. 13, which is the day Subaru expects to distribute notifications to owners informing of this engine cooling issue. Those who receive the communiques should bring their automobile to an area Subaru dealer so a repair can be arranged. There will be no charge for the fix, if one is needed.

The Defect

In paperwork submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Subaru is getting ready to recall 205,000 Imprezas and Crosstrek vehicles – model years 2017 through 2019 and 2018, respectively – after discovering the positive crank ventilation valve may be compromised in certain automobiles. Made from aluminum, the PCV valve may crack and cause the components within it to fall into the engine itself. Such a scenario could prevent the engine from functioning and lead to a crash should the engine turn off or cause the automobile to stall.

Timeline of Events

NHTSA maintains a portal that consumers can use to see when recall takes place and the events that led up to actions requiring correspondence with government traffic safety officials. Among the documents typically made available is what is known as a Product 573 Safety Recall Report. It chronicles recall-specific investigations on a month-to-month basis and also describes the proposed remedy to rectify the safety issues in question. However, this report was not made available at press time.

Several Product 573 Recall Reports have been revealed by NHTSA in 2019 overall, and for Subaru in particular. One stemmed from faulty brake pedal mounting brackets that Subaru became aware of over the summer and another for defective driveshafts. The driveshaft problem first came to Subaru’s attention in June and the voluntary recall became official less than a month later.

The Solution

As to the Impreza and Crosstrek recall, Subaru says it’s aiming to inform all the parties for whom this safety risk applies beginning Dec. 13. In the mailers set to be distributed, owners will be asked to bring their automobiles to a dealership so a repair order can get underway, assuming the PCV valve is damaged. This can only be determined by bringing the car in for inspection. If a problem is found, the PCV valve will be replaced free of charge.

It’s very possible that you’re driving a car that may be subject to a recall. Find out for sure by entering your VIN at MotorSafety.org.

Ill-Mounted Spoiler Sparks Recall of Select Mercedes-Benz Wagons

October 25, 2019 Sean Reyes Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – Oct. 25, 2019 – Mercedes-Benz USA has launched a small-scale recall on certain station wagons, over fears that the spoilers attached to the rear portion of these vehicles may dislodge and fall off, creating a roadway hazard that could result in a crash were people are injured. The models involved include the 2019 E450 4Matic Wagon, 2017-2018 E400 4Matic Wagon and 2018-2019 E63S 4Matic Wagon.

The luxury automaker began apprising owners of this rear spoiler recall Oct. 18. Recipients can take their automobile back to the dealer so a new spoiler can be installed if it’s deemed appropriate. There is no cost for this fix.

The Defect

Approximately 4,765 Mercedes-Benz station wagons are newly subject to a nationwide recall notice, as the rear spoilers mounted onto the trunks of these vehicles may detach, according to paperwork submitted to and compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The station wagons in question include the following:

2017-2018 E400
2018-2019 E63S
2019 E450

It’s possible that these spoilers may ultimately fall from their perch when motorists are out on the road. This could create a hazard that causes motorists to swerve or strike a trailing vehicle and perhaps result in an accident where people are hurt.

Timeline of Events

This problem first came to the luxury automaker’s attention in October 2018, after a single instance in which the spoiler on an E-Class model fell from its mount. A follow-up investigation into the circumstances surrounding the problem determined that the defective spoiler was likely caused by human error, installed by a worker who was on the job temporarily, according to NHTSA filings. Approximately 16 other station wagons had the same issue and each were recalled to correct the errantly affixed spoilers.

Roughly a year later, however, Daimler AG – the parent company of Mercedes-Benz – was made aware of other instances in which the rear spoilers were improperly installed and that the problem was not isolated to human error but rather a manufacturing flaw.

Out of an abundance of caution, DAG implemented a voluntary recall on certain station wagons that it had reason to believe were affected. The company estimates that 5% – or 238 automobiles – of the recalled population have the defect. They were likely manufactured somewhere between early October of last year and early-to-mid January.

The rear spoiler recall is the latest safety issue Mercedes-Benz has come across over the last year or so. Like many of its contemporaries, MB was also affected by air bag defects, as the luxury automaker recalled nearly 288,800 models in late February. The company administered a separate recall in late December involving 6,000 vehicles, which contained faulty steering rack locknuts.

The Solution

The luxury automaker is partnering with the NHTSA to ensure that motorists pertaining to the rear spoiler recall are notified. If owners have not already received mailers making them aware of this issue, they should at any time, as the notices were sent out Oct. 18. Dealers were informed a week earlier. There is no deadline to have this problem corrected and the repair is for free.

For more information on existing Mercedes-Benz recall, visit MotorSafety.org and click on the “Mercedes-Benz” hyperlink.

Nearly a Half-Million Subarus Recalled Due to Stall Risk

October 25, 2019 Sean Reyes Subaru Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – Oct. 25, 2019 – A massive recall is about to get underway for Subaru of America, after the automaker discovered certain Impreza and Crosstrek vehicles – whose model years stretch from 2017 to 2019 – may have faulty engine control modules. Specifically, despite the engine being turned off, the ECM may continue to run, a circumstance that has the potential to cause a short circuit or blown fuse. This could lead to an accident if either of these outcomes take place while motorists are traveling.

The automaker expects to inform registered car owners of this 2017-2019 Subaru recall by Dec. 13. Recipients are encouraged to then bring their vehicles to their local dealership so diagnostic test can be performed. This will determine whether the ignition coil requires replacing or if some other modification. Whatever is deemed necessary, there will be no charge for parts or labor.

The Defect

Approximately 466,205 Crosstrek SUVs and Impreza hatchbacks are due to be recalled by Subaru, according to documents prepared by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It appears that the engine control module, which manipulates the actuators controlling the internal combustion engine, fails to power down when the engine is shut off. Left unchecked could result in a blown fuse or short circuit of the engine. Either scenario dramatically increases the risk of the automobile stalling and the possibility that the operator encounters an accident.

Timeline of Events

Typically when safety recalls are ordered, the NHTSA produces what is known as a Part 573 Safety Recall Report. This document details the various elements of an automotive recall, including a chronology of how a performance or safety issue came to light and what led the automaker to make the decision that it did regarding the recall. These particulars were not available in the NHTSA’s portal at the time of publication.

Subaru prides itself on its safety record and is a perennial favorite to receive recognition for building some of the safest automobiles on the road from the likes of J.D. Power and Associates and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute and Kelley Blue Book. In fact, last year, the Camden, New Jersey-headquartered nameplate landed seven models on IIHS’ Top Safety Pick+ list, two of which were the Crosstrek and Impreza, specifically the sedan and 5-door option. Others that received the highly coveted honorific included the Subaru Outback, WRX, Ascent and Legacy.

In order to be included among IIHS Top Safety Pick+ selections, vehicles must undergo a battery of tests that analyze how well they hold up in the event of a crash at a high rate of speed, including front, side, rollover and how well the head restraints prevent passengers from experiencing a head or neck injury. Vehicles must received a “good” rating for these tests. Headlights must also receive a “good” rating, while the front crash prevention test must elicit a “superior” or “advanced” score.

“Each year we continue to improve and innovate the safety features in our vehicles for our customers, said Thomas Doll, CEO and president at Subaru of America, in a press release. “For the Subaru brand to lead the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards with seven winners reflects our commitment to making safety the top priority in our vehicles.”

The Solution

The recall is anticipated to begin officially on Dec. 13, the first day in which Subaru plans to distribute mailers to owners of the models in question. Recipients are urged to bring their vehicles to an area Subaru supplier so the ECM can be inspected and the engine coil replaced or modified. Some of these automobiles may also need to have their front exhaust pipes swapped assuming ignition coil damage is confirmed.

For more information on the 2017-2019 Subaru recall as well as any others announced within the last few months, please visit MotorSafety.org to get the details.

Toyota yanks over 928,200 cars with faulty Takata airbags

October 25, 2019 Sean Reyes Lexus Recalls, Toyota Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – October 24, 2019 – Toyota is recalling more than 928,200 models of various types due to concerns that the air bags installed in these vehicles’ dashboards and steering wheels could explode upon deployment in a crash and hurl deadly shrapnel at the driver or passengers.

A total of 17 different model types are included in this recall action, several of which are under Toyota’s luxury brand. Here’s a partial list:

2007-2012 Lexus ES350
2010-2017 Lexus GX460
2006-2012 Lexus IS 250
2010-2015 Lexus IS 250c
2006-2012 Lexus IS 350
2010-2016 Toyota 4Runner
2003-2013 Toyota Corolla
2009-2010 Toyota Corolla Matrix
2004-2005 Toyota RAV4
2002-2007 Toyota Sequoia

The defect

Toyota has announced the recall of 928,203 models because the air bag inflators may be faulty. The propellant used to inflate the air bags once triggered may degrade in high-humidity environments, which could lead to an explosion of the air bag itself. Sharp objects within the unit could cause serious injury or death should they strike the passenger or driver.

Timeline of events

As previously noted, Toyota is one of several automakers impacted by air bag recalls, as millions of automobiles have returned to dealerships so their original bags can be swapped out for fully operating ones. In fact, all of the listed vehicles were a part of a separate air bag recall for the same problem. This is the second and final phase of the original recall. The errant air bags in question were developed by Takata, which filed for bankruptcy in 2017. According to Reuters, at least 24 people have been killed worldwide as a result of rupturing air bags. Of these deaths, 16 took place in the U.S.

Just because there are recall notices out on numerous makes and models doesn’t mean that they’re all attended to, despite owners’ receipt of notifications. In 2018, however, repair rates improved rather sharply among several models. These included the 2006 Ford Ranger (82% in October 2018 from 6% in January 2018), and multiple 2001-2003 Honda models, with an overall 96% repair rate by the end of 2018, according to NHTSA data.

Several of the automobiles subject to this latest air bag recall were also involved in a previous one that was announced in February. That one affected 1.2 million vehicles, among them 2010-2016 4Runner, 2011-2013 Corolla and 2011-2013 Corolla Matrix vehicles.

The solution

Starting November 15, Toyota will begin distributing notifications via first-class mail informing owners of this most recent air bag recall. Before this, however, each car will be inspected to determine the nature of the problem and the appropriate corrective action. For example, the driver and/or passenger air bags may be defective. Whatever the case may be, the inflator, air bag assembly or both will be swapped out. This repair is free, and the fix should take approximately one hour to complete.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 928,000 cars were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021, 545,271 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Note: June 8, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have added the last section to allow the driver to check if his or her car is part of the recall and reflect the most up-to-date information on the recall’s completion rates. The article has also been updated to reflect the latest editorial standards.

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Is your vehicle part of this recall?

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The Defect

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The Defect

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The defect

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Is your vehicle part of the recall?

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