“Do Not Drive” Warning Issued for 50,000 Toyotas

Toyota recently issued a “Do Not Drive” advisory for certain 2003-2005 car models. The recall concerns approximately 50,000 vehicles.

When deployed, airbags within affected vehicles may “explode and shoot sharp metal fragments which could cause serious injury or death,” according to Toyota’s recall press release.

Impacted drivers are urged to contact a local Toyota dealership to coordinate repair immediately. Affected vehicles should not be driven, according to Toyota.

Affected Toyota Models
Toyota said the current Do Not Drive advisory impacts certain models of the following vehicles:

• 2003-2004 Corolla
• 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix
• 2004-2005 RAV4

A driver can enter their vehicle identification number (VIN) into the Toyota.com/recall website or the nhtsa.gov/recalls lookup tool to see if their vehicle is under a safety recall.

Recall Details
The January 2024 recall relates to Takata-brand airbags, which were used by many car manufacturers for years. Specifically, certain vehicles may have airbag inflators that could discharge shrapnel, which could injure or kill.

In the current recall notice, Toyota said the age of the affected vehicles may make a dangerous airbag deployment more likely, as materials degrade.

For years, Takata airbags have been (and continue to be) at the center of other vehicle recalls. In fact, 26 U.S. deaths have been linked to these faulty airbags since 2009. The brand went bankrupt in 2017, but its products are still in many vehicles on the road.

What to Do Next
Drivers should do the following, according to Toyota’s recall press release:

• Use a VIN lookup tool to confirm the vehicle has an active recall and to verify what needs fixing.
• As applicable, immediately refrain from driving the vehicle and contact a Toyota dealership to schedule service. The safety recall repair will be free of charge.

Additionally, to prevent further vehicle use, dealerships may offer a variety of services free of charge in this situation, such as towing or mobile repair, according to Toyota.

Final Takeaways
The current Toyota recall is one of several concurrent recalls happening right now. Other vehicles, such as certain Dodge Ram trucks and BMWs also announced airbag-related recalls within the past 12 months. Drivers of any car type should look up their VIN to see if their vehicle is affected by a recall. Drivers can also subscribe to recall alerts.