Toyota Issues Urgent “Do Not Drive” Advisory for Takata Airbag Recall

HomeToyota Issues Urgent “Do Not Drive” Advisory for Takata Airbag Recall

Rebecca Edwards

Jan 30, 2024

2 min read

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Need to Know from SafeWiseToyota issued a “Do Not Drive” advisory for around 50,000 vehicles in the US.The advisory is related to an urgent Takata airbag recall that impacts tens of millions of vehicles worldwide.26 deaths resulted from Takata airbag issues as of June 2023.Toyota has several ways to safely get your vehicle repaired, if affected.

Image: jetcityimage, iStock

On January 25, 2024, Toyota issued an immediate “DO NOT DRIVE” advisory for specific vehicle models due to an urgent Takata airbag safety recall. The affected vehicles include model year 2003-2004 Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and model year 2004-2005 RAV4 vehicles, totaling approximately 50,000 units in the United States. This advisory serves as a critical warning to owners, emphasizing the severe risks of not promptly addressing the safety recall.

The Takata airbag recall
The recall involves tens of millions of vehicles and includes a specific set of airbags in the identified Toyota models. These airbags are part of an urgent safety recall due to their potential to cause grave harm. Given the age of these vehicles, there is an increased risk that if the airbag deploys, it may rupture and release sharp metal fragments, presenting a serious threat to the driver and passengers. The consequences of an exploding airbag could result in severe injury or even death, making it crucial for affected vehicle owners to take immediate action.

“Do Not Drive” issued for Dodge Rams in JuneIn June, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed a fatality due to a Takata passenger airbag rupture—the twenty-sixth in the US. In response, a Do Not Drive order was issued for 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks. Because these airbags are so prevalent, the NHTSA urged ALL vehicle owners to check for a Takata recall for their car.
Do not drive your vehicle
The most vital message from Toyota is clear: owners of the affected vehicles should not drive them until the necessary safety recall repair has been conducted. This advisory is not to be taken lightly, as the safety of the driver, passengers, and others on the road is at stake. Toyota strongly urges owners not to operate their vehicles and to contact their local dealer immediately for further instructions.

Repair options available
To encourage owners to act promptly, Toyota is offering several options for addressing the recall at no cost to the owner. These options include:

Mobile repair: Some dealers may provide mobile repair services at the vehicle’s location, ensuring convenience for the owner.
Towing to dealership: If necessary, dealers can arrange towing services to transport the vehicle safely to the dealership.
Vehicle pickup and delivery: Toyota dealerships may offer vehicle pickup and delivery services to minimize the inconvenience to the owner.
Alternate transportation: In some cases, dealerships may provide alternate transportation options while the recall repair is performed.

How to check if your vehicle is affected
Visit the Toyota website at Toyota.com/recall or the NHTSA website at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car is included. You’ll need to enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information to check your vehicle’s status.

Contact Toyota customer support
Toyota customer support is readily available through the Toyota Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-331-4331 for any additional questions or concerns. The support team can assist, clarify doubts, and guide you through the recall process.

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Disclaimer: Portions of this article were assisted by automation technology. All content therein has been augmented, thoroughly edited, and fact-checked by our in-house editorial staff of human safety experts.

Written by

Rebecca Edwards

Rebecca is the lead safety reporter and in-house expert for SafeWise.com. She has been a journalist and blogger for over 25 years, with a focus on home and community safety for the past decade. Rebecca spends dozens of hours every month poring over crime and safety reports and spotting trends. Her expertise is sought after by publications, broadcast journalists, non-profit organizations, podcasts, and more.
You can find her expert advice and analysis in places like NPR, TechCrunch, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Miami Herald, HGTV, MSN, Reader’s Digest, Real Simple, and an ever-growing library of podcast, radio and TV clips in the US and abroad.