Toyota Vietnam recalls more than 8,000 cars over airbag defect
The Vietnam business of Japanese automaker Toyota on December 28 launched a recall of over 8,000 Corolla compact sedans due to an airbag malfunction that could leave passengers injured upon its deployment.
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The defective airbags, supplied by Japan-based automotive parts manufacturer Takata Corporation, were found to propel metal fragments at vehicle occupants upon deployment.
The company found that faulty production left the airbags’ inflators vulnerable to moisture penetration over long periods of time, making them prone to rupture upon deployment.
According to a report last month by Reuters, Takata’s air bag inflators have been linked to at least 18 deaths and 180 injuries around the world. The situation has led to the largest auto recall in history.
A report issued in November by an independent monitor of the Takata recalls said more than ten million US vehicles and 18.5 million faulty Takata air bag inflators remained unrepaired.
Automakers have recalled or expect to recall about 125 million vehicles worldwide by 2019 in order to replace defective inflators, including more than 60 million cars in the US.
In Vietnam, Toyota’s recall began on December 28, with Corolla owners encouraged to bring their vehicles in for inspection at any Toyota garage nationwide.
The inflator replacement lasts between one and three hours, the announcement reads.