Toyota Australia has announced a recall involving approximately 17,650 vehicles equipped with potentially affected Takata-produced single-stage non-azide front driver's airbag inflators (referred to by Takata as "NADI").
Four Toyota vehicle models in Australia are involved in this recall - RAV4, Starlet, Celica and Paseo - with build dates ranging between July 1997 and August 1999.
According to a report filed by Takata with US authorities, the propellant in some of the involved inflators may absorb moisture over time, which could lead to inappropriate deployment or inflator rupture in situations where the airbags are commanded to deploy.
If an abnormal deployment of the driver airbag occurs, this could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Toyota Australia will notify all potentially affected vehicle owners of this recall in January 2020 by mail, SMS or email.
For all involved vehicles, Toyota dealers will replace the airbag inflator or the airbag assembly at no cost to customers as a precautionary measure. As an interim measure, until the replacement parts are ready, Toyota will inform the owner(s) of the affected vehicles to stop using their vehicles, with the possibility that Toyota will buyback the vehicles.
Once replacement parts are available Toyota will send a letter to affected customers so they can make an appointment at their closest/preferred Toyota dealer for the airbag / inflator to be replaced free of charge.
A full list of involved vehicles and additional information can be found in the Q&A's below.
