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Cars From Toyota With Takata Airbags May Pose Fatal Risk In Case Of Collision; Campaign Covers Vehicles Over 20 Years Old
Toyota Brazil is conducting a national recall campaign involving vehicles manufactured between 2002 and 2017, due to the use of airbags from the Japanese manufacturer Takata, which present a serious risk of failure and have already been associated with fatal accidents in several countries.
The so-called “deadly airbags” were used by various automakers in passenger and light commercial vehicles. In the case of Toyota, the recall has been open since November 2024, aimed at ensuring the immediate replacement of potentially defective devices, regardless of the vehicle’s age or condition.
According to the company, the failure in the airbags is not related to the operation of the vehicle itself, but rather to a instability in the inflator component, which can cause the rupture of the metal structure and the release of fragments during deployment, turning the safety system into a lethal risk.
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Toyota Airbag Recall Involves Millions Of Vehicles In Brazil
As of August 2024, it was estimated that about 4.4 million vehicles were circulating in Brazil with Takata airbags, of which 2.5 million had not yet been taken for repair. Toyota is one of 17 automakers that used the airbags from the Japanese company, whose technical failure led to the largest recall campaign in the history of the global automotive sector.
Although Toyota has not released an official list of affected models, the recommendation is clear: all owners of Toyota cars manufactured between 2002 and 2017 should check if their vehicle is part of the recall. The process is simple and can be done through the official Toyota Brazil website (toyota.com.br), by providing model, year, license plate, or chassis number.
Deadly Takata Airbags: Understand The Risk
The defect in Takata airbags is directly linked to the use of ammonium nitrate as an inflating substance. This component, although effective in the rapid deployment of the airbag, degrades over time, especially in regions with high humidity and heat, such as various areas of Brazil.
The problem is that as it degrades, ammonium nitrate can cause an uncontrolled explosion inside the airbag, sending metal fragments from the casing hurtling at high speed toward the vehicle’s occupants.
The failure gained worldwide attention after the death of a driver in the United States, in an accident involving a 2002 Honda Accord, where metal pieces from the airbag struck the victim’s chest. Since then, dozens of similar accidents have been recorded, resulting in at least 30 confirmed deaths worldwide and over 400 injuries.
Toyota Warns Of Serious Risk And Reaffirms That Recall Is Free
Toyota is treating the case with the utmost priority and defines the recall as “urgent and essential to life”. The automaker states that there are no time or vehicle condition restrictions for conducting repairs and offers assistance for owners with cars that are parked or out of circulation, including transportation to the vehicle’s location.
Additionally, the automaker emphasizes that the airbag replacement service is completely free, and that customers should not neglect the call, even if the car functions perfectly and shows no visible signs of problems.
How To Know If Your Toyota Is In The Takata Airbag Recall
The check is quick. Just visit the website toyota.com.br and click on the recall banner highlighted on the homepage. Then, the owner can enter:
- License Plate Number
- Chassis Number (VIN)
- Vehicle Year/Model
If the car is among those recalled, an alert message will be displayed, and the user can schedule the service at the nearest dealership. Toyota also provides phone channels and support via app to facilitate scheduling.
Recall Affects Several Brands Beyond Toyota
Takata airbags were used by a wide range of global manufacturers. In addition to Toyota, the recall involves cars from brands like Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Jeep, Dodge, Nissan, Honda, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, RAM, Volvo, Renault, and even Ferrari.
The global recall campaign led to the bankruptcy of Takata, one of the largest automotive safety system suppliers in the world, headquartered in Japan. The company admitted to design flaws, took too long to act after the first reports, and faced thousands of lawsuits.
In Brazil, the coordination of the recall is overseen by the National Department of Transit (Denatran) and Procon, which provide tools to assist drivers in checking if their vehicles are under recall.
Although there is no established deadline for servicing, Toyota emphasizes that the airbag replacement should be done as soon as possible, especially considering that many of the affected vehicles are already over 15 years old and are more susceptible to degradation of the component.
The company also warns that the sale of a vehicle with an outstanding recall may lead to legal complications and financial losses, in addition to the obvious risk to the physical integrity of new drivers.
Sou proprietário de um Etios Hatch 2014,mas já fiz o recall dos Air bags lado motorista e lado do passageiro, é preciso fazer de novo?