Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—October 23, 2014.
SUMMARY: Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia and 2003-2005 Toyota Tundra, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Pontiac Vibe vehicles that were originally sold, or are currently registered, in high absolute humidity areas of southern Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.
CONSEQUENCE: 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.
REMEDY: Toyota will notify owners of affected Toyota and Lexus vehicles and General Motors will notify owners of affected Pontiac Vibe vehicles. Toyota, Lexus, and GM dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. If a replacement inflator is not available, as an interim measure, the dealer will disable the front passenger air bag and advise the customer not to use the front passenger seat until a replacement inflator is installed. Toyota will begin its owner notification and remedy of the affected Toyota and Lexus vehicles on or around October 25, 2014. Details on GM’s notification and remedy schedule are pending. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300.
NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Source: dot.gov
