Toyota recalls Venzas for driver-side airbag malfunction

Toyota recalls Venzas for driver-side airbag malfunction

April 21, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Plano, TX – February 18, 2022 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) has remedied issues on 16,996 2009-2015 Toyota Venza models with side curtain airbags issues that may not display properly during a crash. Additionally, 2,992 of these Toyota Venza models have been categorized as unreachable and 33,535 have been removed from the recall. All these 2009-2015 Toyota Venza vehicles with side curtain airbag problems were remedied during the last quarter of 2021.

Plano, TX – April 21, 2021 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) has recalled 279,040 mid-size crossover SUVs whose driver-side side and curtain airbags may fail to deploy in a crash.  The recall includes these models:

  • 2009 Toyota Venza 
  • 2010 Toyota  Venza 
  • 2011 Toyota Venza 
  • 2012 Toyota Venza 
  • 2013 Toyota Venza 
  • 2014 Toyota Venza 
  • 2015 Toyota Venza 

The component in question is the “wire harness for [the] front driver door,” with multiple part numbers, including 82152-0T100 and 82152-0T140.

Recall summary  

The recall stems from a wiring issue inside the Venza’s driver-side door. The wires connecting an airbag sensor in the door to the supplemental restraint system (SRS) – which is a computer that controls these airbags – may rub against a metal ring holding them together. 

This could eventually cause the wires to fracture, disabling the driver’s side and curtain airbags. In a crash, these airbags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury to people in the vehicle. For additional details on this, please read the NHTSA Safety Recall Report. 

Warning signs

Venza drivers may notice that their SRS warning light turns on, indicating that airbags have been deactivated.

Risks

Like many other vehicles, 2009-2015 Toyota Venzas use side and curtain airbags to protect the driver’s head and torso, particularly in side-impact crashes. 

Side and curtain airbags reduce side-impact crash fatalities by an estimated 31.3%, but this protection is stripped away if these airbags deactivate and fail to deploy. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect the wiring inside the driver-side door and, if necessary, replace the wiring system with a new one for free. Owners who already paid for repairs related to this problem may be eligible for reimbursement. Instructions on when and how to seek repairs or reimbursement will be sent to owners by June 12.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 279,000 Venzas are included in this Toyota airbag recall. To do a Toyota recall check,  use MotorSafety’s free recall lookup tool or visit Toyota’s Lookup Safety Recalls and Service feature. 

Rebecca RandToyota recalls Venzas for driver-side airbag malfunction
Toyota Recalls 3.4 Million Vehicles, Claiming Faulty Airbag Deployment

Toyota Recalls 3.4 Million Vehicles, Claiming Faulty Airbag Deployment

January 21, 2020 Marshall Earley

Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 21, 2020 – Toyota is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles that may be installed with a faulty airbag installation.

The estimated total of affected vehicles is 3.4 million.

The Defect

Toyota is recalling 3.4 million vehicles worldwide (estimated 2.9 million affected U.S. vehicles) claiming that they were installed with an electronic defect causing the air bags not to deploy during a crash. The electronic control defect in the affected vehicles are not equipped with requisite protection against electrical noise during a vehicle crash – this can lead to an improper deployment of the airbag and impeded use and operation of seat-belt pretensioners. The electrical over-stress in certain Toyota vehicles is estimated to have caused one fatal crashes according to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

The faulty airbag control units were originally installed by TRW Automotive Holdings Corp and are estimated to be installed in 12.3 million Toyota, Fiat, Chrysler, Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi automobiles. NHTSA claims that eight deaths could be caused by the over-stress of the installed airbag control units. 

The Solution

Toyota has claimed that the solution to the issue would be to install a noise filter between the airbag control unit and the wire harness. If vehicle owners suspect that their specific vehicle is affected, they are advised to bring their vehicle into an authorized Toyota dealership for service or call Toyota customer service at 800-331-4331.

For more information on this and other recalls, visit www.motorsafety.org.

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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Marshall EarleyToyota Recalls 3.4 Million Vehicles, Claiming Faulty Airbag Deployment
Toyota yanks over 928,200 cars with faulty Takata airbags

Toyota yanks over 928,200 cars with faulty Takata airbags

October 25, 2019 Sean Reyes ,

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.

Sean ReyesToyota yanks over 928,200 cars with faulty Takata airbags
Toyota recalls more Takata airbag inflators – 1.3 million vehicles involved

Toyota recalls more Takata airbag inflators – 1.3 million vehicles involved

January 9, 2019 Sean Reyes , , ,

Plano, Texas, Jan. 9, 2019 – Toyota has announced a planned expansion of recalls affecting vehicles with Takata air bag inflators that may rupture, hurling potentially deadly shrapnel at vehicle occupants. This recall has already involved millions of cars and trucks worldwide, across a broad spectrum of manufacturers and brands.

This new round of affected vehicles includes both Toyota and Lexus models. The latest recall involves the following cars and trucks:

  • 2010-2016 Toyota 4Runner
  • 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla
  • 2010-2013 Toyota Matrix
  • 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna
  • 2010-2015 Scion XB
  • 2010-2012 Lexus ES 350
  • 2010-2017 Lexus GX 460
  • 2010-2015 Lexus IS 250C
  • 2010-2015 Lexus IS 350C
  • 2010-2013 Lexus IS 250
  • 2010-2013 Lexus IS 350
  • 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F

The Defect

The problem with the Takata inflators is one of the most serious defects to be revealed in recent years. When the propellants used in the parts degrade in high heat, humidity and temperature cycling, activation may result in a rupture in the air bag inflator. Ruptured air bags can throw sharp metal fragments at the occupants of vehicles, injuring or even killing them.

The danger from these potentially deadly air bags increases over time, which is why the Takata recall began with earlier cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association has been coordinating the cycles of recalls. In total, the department is targeting 37 million vehicles. The most dangerous type of Takata air bag, designated “alpha,” is found in vehicles older than those recently recalled by Toyota – owners of those cars were notified during the beginning of the recall.

Timeline of Events

The waves of the Takata recall have been ongoing since 2015. Unlike other recalls that are determined based on laboratory testing or safety inspections, the air bag inflator fault was discovered after several deadly accidents involving the compromised parts. The recall began with the vehicles most likely to contain high-risk inflators, with waves of new announcements following every few months.

According to Toyota, owners of the mentioned in the latest stage of the recall will receive letters in late January alerting them to the need to receive service for their vehicles.

The Solution

As with other stages of the Takata recall, the solution for the current round of air bag repairs involves replacing either the inflator or the whole airbag assembly, depending on the model of car in question. The modification will be carried out by Toyota and Lexus dealerships and repair work will be offered at no charge to drivers.

The automaker noted that it has been working on outreach efforts to ensure as many motorists as possible realize they need to have their vehicles repaired. Through practices such as holding events and working with third-party organizations, Toyota and the other carmakers using Takata air bag inflators have been publicizing the recall for the past few years.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Nearly 1.3 million vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021, – the last date for which information was available – 1,060,060 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesToyota recalls more Takata airbag inflators – 1.3 million vehicles involved
Toyota Recalls Nearly 170,000 More Vehicles Due to Takata Airbag Issues

Toyota Recalls Nearly 170,000 More Vehicles Due to Takata Airbag Issues

December 31, 2018 Sean Reyes , , ,

Laguna Hills, CA – December 31, 2018 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 169,481 vehicles with faulty Takata airbag inflators that may explode and injure vehicle occupants. The recall includes the following models:

  • 2002-2005 Lexus SC
  • 2002-2005 Toyota Sequoia
  • 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla
  • 2003-2005 Tundra
  • 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe

Recall summary

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, these vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

On December 7, 2018, in consideration of a sufficient supply of final remedy inflators and upon discussion with the Agency, Toyota decided to conduct a campaign to replace the air bag inflator or the air bag assembly on certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Additionally, Toyota is also recalling certain Pontiac Vibe vehicles based on General Motors’ request, and in consideration of a sufficient supply of final remedy inflators by them.

Not all vehicles in the affected range were sold in the U.S. The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger air bag inflators (Takata-designated SPI, PSPI or PSPI-L) which contain a non-desiccated phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant and that were replaced as a “like-for-like” inflator under a prior recall by Takata, although Takata’s official DIRs that affect the subject vehicles will not occur until late 2019. Toyota is accelerating the launch of the remedy for these vehicles in advance of the Takata decisions.

The repair

Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 14, 2019.

This recall includes vehicles that have had their air bag previously replaced under an earlier air bag campaign. General Motors will notify NHTSA separately of its repair and notification schedule and its campaign number concerning the Pontiac Vibe, and will provide reimbursement to owners for repairs according to the plan submitted by GM on May 19, 2017.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 160,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 104,197 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesToyota Recalls Nearly 170,000 More Vehicles Due to Takata Airbag Issues
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