Toyota and Nissan both announced on Wednesday that they would recall a total of 6.5 million vehicles around the world in the latest chapter of an exploding airbag crisis that's linked to several deaths.
Toyota said its recall of five million vehicles affected 35 models globally, produced between 2003 and 2007, while Nissan said it was calling back 1.56 million vehicles also due to faulty airbags made by embattled supplier Takata.
Toyota and Nissan said there were no reports of deaths or injuries linked to this latest recall, while a Nissan spokesman said that the explosion risk was among a range of problems seen in the defective airbags.
Toyota said hit had been conducting various ongoing investigations into Takata-produced airbag inflators and certain types were found to have a potential for moisture intrusion over time, possibly leading to abnormal deployment in a crash.
Takata has said the defect surfaces mainly in humid, hotter regions and has resisted US authorities' call for a national recall of cars with its airbags.
SA CARS AFFECTED
As for the local implications of this latest Takata recall, Toyota South Africa said it would replace the airbag inflators in Corolla, RunX and Yaris models produced between 2002 and 2007 and in Rav4, Hilux and Fortuners made between July 2003 and December 2005.
Toyota says that 224 006 South African vehicles are affected and that the recall will get underway as soon as all the required components are available at local dealerships. At this point, affected owners would be notified, according to TSA's official statement. The procedure is expected to take between one and two hours and, of course, owners won't pay a cent.
If you think your car might be affected, write down the VIN number and log onto Toyota's website (from 15 May) or contact the call centre on 0800 139 111.
Nissan South Africa has confirmed that certain previous generation Almeras could be affected and that it is currently working with its dealers to promptly address the issue. Nissan also stated that owners would be notified in June and that the campaign would come at no cost to owners.
ONGOING SAGA
This latest recall comes after some 20 million vehicles from various carmakers, including GM and Honda, were recalled over the risk that their Takata airbags could improperly inflate and rupture, potentially firing deadly shrapnel at occupants.
At least five deaths have been linked to the defect, with one in the US initially investigated as a murder due to the woman's grisly injuries.