The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·18V024000·Announced 2018-01-09

Toyota Recalls Lexus, Scion, and Toyota Vehicles for Airbag Defect

Toyota is recalling specific 2009-2013 Lexus, Scion, Toyota, and Pontiac vehicles because the passenger airbag inflator may explode during deployment, posing a risk of serious injury or death.

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 inflator explosion may result in 'serious injury or death,' which aligns with the rubric criteria for a Severe (4) rating involving significant injury reports or potential for serious harm.

Plain-English summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling certain 2009-2013 model year vehicles, including Lexus IS and GX models, Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Sienna, and Pontiac Vibe. The recall affects vehicles equipped with specific passenger frontal air bag inflators that were used as original or replacement equipment. The affected vehicles are distributed across three geographic zones based on their state of registration or sale.

The defect involves the passenger frontal air bag inflator, which may explode due to propellant degradation after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. In the event of a crash that necessitates the deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, this explosion could result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, potentially causing serious injury or death.

Owners will be notified by Toyota, Scion, Lexus, or General Motors (for Pontiac owners) depending on the vehicle brand. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire air bag assembly, depending on the specific vehicle model. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners can contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 for more information.

The recalled product

Product
LEXUS, SCION, TOYOTA IS 350C, IS 350, IS 250C, IS 250
Brand
LEXUS
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Category
Vehicle — Airbag
Hazard
Affected units
628,018

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 (14)

  • IS 350C
  • IS 350
  • IS 250C
  • IS 250
  • GX460
  • XB
  • IS F
  • ES350
  • COROLLA
  • VIBE
  • YARIS
  • COROLLA MATRIX
  • 4RUNNER
  • SIENNA

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same brand · LEXUS

Same manufacturer · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

See all →

Same hazard · airbag explosion

See all →

Similar recalls