The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·15V285000·Announced 2015-05-13

Toyota Recalls Vehicles for Defective Passenger Air Bag Inflators

Toyota is recalling approximately 1.97 million vehicles, including Pontiac, Lexus, and Toyota models, to replace passenger air bag inflators that may rupture.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that the defect may result in 'serious injury or death' and involves a structural vehicle defect (air bag inflator rupture), which aligns with the rubric criteria for a Severe (4) rating.

Plain-English summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling approximately 1,973,468 vehicles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator. The affected vehicles include model year 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe, and 2002-2007 Lexus SC. The recall was initially issued in May 2015 for specific 2003-2004 Sequoia and Tundra models and was expanded in June 2015 to include the additional vehicles listed.

The defect involves the passenger side frontal air bag inflator, which may produce excessive internal pressure. This pressure can cause the inflator to rupture upon deployment. If the inflator ruptures, metal fragments may strike vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. The recall covers both original equipment air bags and replacement air bags that may have been installed as service parts.

Owners of 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles are under a Do Not Drive advisory and should not drive these vehicles until the recall remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, and Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.safercar.gov.

The recalled product

Product
TOYOTA, PONTIAC, LEXUS COROLLA MATRIX, VIBE, SC, SEQUOIA
Brand
TOYOTA
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Category
Vehicle — Air Bag
Hazard
Affected units
1,973,468

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (6)

  • COROLLA MATRIX
  • VIBE
  • SC
  • SEQUOIA
  • TUNDRA
  • COROLLA

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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