Toyota Australia Takata Airbag Recall Re-Notification

Toyota Australia has today announced that it will initiate future Takata recall campaigns ahead of schedule for 2,399 Corolla and Avensis vehicles to replaced previously installed passenger’s front affected Takata airbag inflators.

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Toyota Australia has today announced that it will initiate future Takata recall campaigns ahead of schedule for 2,399 Corolla and Avensis vehicles to replaced previously installed passenger’s front affected Takata airbag inflators. These vehicles were previously included in future Takata recalls scheduled for either July or December 2019.

The involved vehicles were subject to previous recalls where affected Takata airbag inflators were replaced with new Takata-produced, non-desiccated airbag inflators (‘like for like’) to immediately secure safety in the face of parts supply challenges globally.

In involved vehicles, the airbag is faulty and it could kill or seriously injure you and other people in your vehicle from when it reaches six years after its year of manufacture.

There is no immediate known risk with the airbag, but there will be in the future.

As the airbag gets older, a combination of high temperatures and humidity can affect airbags with the fault.

If you are involved in a collision, the airbag can go off with too much explosive force causing sharp metal fragments to shoot out and kill or seriously injure people in the vehicle.

In this recall, these affected Takata airbag inflators will be replaced with parts produced by alternate suppliers (not Takata).

Over half of the affected Corolla vehicles in this recall campaign are also affected by the recall on airbag electronic control units (ECU) also announced today.

Replacement parts for both of these recalls are currently being prepared . Exact timing of parts availability in Australia will be confirmed as soon as possible, however, we anticipate supply timing will be the first quarter of 2019.

Toyota Australia will notify all affected vehicle owners of these recalls by mail within the next few weeks.

Once replacement parts are available, Toyota Australia will notify owners of involved vehicles in a number of ways (including by mail, phone and email) so they can make an appointment at their preferred/closest Toyota Dealers.

Toyota Dealers will replace the affected Takata airbag inflator free of charge to the vehicle owner.

If consumers are unsure whether their vehicle is affected by any of the Takata airbag recall campaigns, they can access the status of their vehicle and recall information at Toyota Recall or can call the Toyota Recall Campaign on 1800 987 366.

Free of charge translation services are available at TIS National or National Relay Service.

Concerns may be reported to the ACCC.

Toyota Australia apologises for any inconvenience caused by the Takata airbag recall campaigns.

Q1. Which models are involved?

A1. Please refer to the table below

Model Name Model Code WMI VDS CD VIN Range (From) VIN Range (To) Production Period (From) Production Period (To)
Corolla ZZE121 SB1

KZ28E

# SB1KZ28E40E076791

One grey import vehicle

 
ZZE122 JTD BR22E
BR28E
ER22E
KR22E
KR28E
# 00044162
00044845
00044158
00042850
00044163
03071493
03208123
00141320
02017502
02048342
10/10/2001
10/10/2001
09/10/2001
08/10/2001
09/10/2001
25/04/2003
24/01/2007
02/09/2003
21/04/2003
29/01/2007
ZRE123 AHT 54ZEC3 # 07000538 07001540 01/03/2003 01/06/2003

Avensis

ACM20

JTE

GH23B

# 00006764 05014316 03/10/2001 06/05/2003

Note:
1) Although the involved vehicles are within the above VIN ranges, not all vehicles in these VIN ranges were sold in the Australian market.
2) (#) indicates additional check digit (alpha or numeric) old in Australia

Q2. These vehicles were involved in a previous Takata airbag inflator recalls, how is this recall different from the last ones? Why are Toyota Re-notifying owners?

A2. The involved vehicles were subject to previous recalls where airbag inflators were replaced with new Takata-produced, non-desiccated airbag inflators (‘like for like’) to immediately secure safety in the face of parts supply challenges globally.

In this current recall, those temporary airbag inflators will be now replaced with parts produced by alternate suppliers (not Takata).

Q3. How many vehicles are involved?

A3. 2,399 vehicles are involved in Australia.

Q4. What is the production period of the involved vehicles?

A4. The involved vehicles were produced between October 2001 and January 2007 depending on the model.

Q5. What is the condition?

A5. In involved vehicles, the airbag is faulty and it could kill or seriously injure you and other people in your vehicle from when it reaches six years after its year of manufacture. 
There is no immediate known risk with the airbag, but there will be in the future.
As the airbag gets older, a combination of high temperatures and humidity can affect airbags with the fault. If you are involved in a collision, the airbag can go off with too much explosive force causing sharp metal fragments to shoot out and kill or seriously injure people in the vehicle.

Q6. What is the function of the Inflator?

A6. The inflator is a device contained within the airbag assembly. It contains a solid propellant which is ignited in the event airbag deployment is necessary. When ignited, the solid propellant expands into an inert gas, inflating the airbag.

Q7. Are there any other Toyota models covered by this campaign?

A7. No. There are no other models covered by this campaign.

Q8. Why are other models not covered by this campaign?

A8. Other Toyota vehicles are under active or planned future recall. Details of the Takata recall campaign and recall initiation schedule can be found at recalls.toyota.com.au

Q9. Are there any warnings that this condition has occurred?

A9. No. There are no warnings that this condition exists.

Q10. What is Toyota going to do?

A10. Toyota will notify, owners of affected Toyota vehicles to provide details of this recall campaign. At the time of parts availability, Toyota will again notify owners in a number of ways (including by mail, phone and email) to make an appointment with any authorised Toyota Dealer to have the rectification completed. Expected commencement timing is the first quarter of 2019. 
Toyota Dealers will perform required rectification FREE OF CHARGE to the vehicle owner.

Q11. How long will the repair take?

A11. This repair will take approximately two hours. However, depending upon the Dealer's work schedule, it may be necessary to make your vehicle available for a longer period of time.

Q12. Will the replacement parts be Takata inflators?

A12. No, the replacement parts for this recall will be manufactured by alternate suppliers (not Takata).

Q13. Why is Toyota announcing this recall when replacing parts are not available?

A13. Toyota takes the safety of our guests seriously and wants to notify guests that their vehicle will be under active recall earlier than originally communicated.

Q14. When will replacement parts be available?

A14. We anticipate parts will be available during the first quarter of 2019.

Q15: Am I able to continue to operate my vehicle until this recall is completed?

A15. Yes, there is no immediate known risk with the airbag, but there will be in the future. Best evidence says that the use of Takata non-desiccated inflators as replacements removed immediate risk; however to ensure long-term safety, Takata non-desiccated inflators also require replacement 6 years from the date of manufacture. 
Our planned first quarter 2019 part replacement commencement timing will ensure owners are able to have airbag inflators replaced prior to 6 years from the date of installation.

Q16. What if an owner has additional questions or concerns?

A16. The following specialized resources are available for Toyota owners:

Check the status of their Toyota vehicle and access recall information at Toyota Recall
Call the Toyota Recall Campaign Helpline on 1800 987 366. Please quote your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Q17. Where can I find my VIN?

A17. VIN number location varies by model. For information on how to find the VIN position specific to your vehicle, please search "vehicle identification number" in the alphabetical index at the rear of your Owner's Manual.

Additional resources available: