Takata airbag recall spreads

UPDATED: 19/05/2015AT LEAST 392,000 additional Japanese vehicles are being called into Australian dealerships to have a potentially fatal problem corrected, as the Takata Corporation faulty airbag recall spreads.

Approximately 31 million vehicles have now been drawn into the worldwide safety recall, which replaces incorrectly assembled front airbag modules that can potentially injure occupants when fired.

In the most recent announcement, Toyota is reporting 181,000 vehicles including Corolla, Yaris, Avensis Verso and RAV4 models built between 2003 and 2007 may be effected. See below table for detailsHonda is reporting 109,551 of its vehicles are also being recalled, affecting Accord Euro models built between 2004 and 2007, 2002 to 2008 CR-Vs, Civics made between 2004 and 2005, and some Jazz models built between 2004 and 2009.

Nissan has also confirmed about 102,000 of its vehicles built between 2004 and 2007 are affected by the latest round of recalls, but is unable to specify exact models at this early stage. The company will be issuing a list as soon as it is available.

Details of any recall issued in Australia, including the most recent information regarding the airbag fault, can be found at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) website.

No incidents relating to the defective components have been reported in Australia.

In initial statements Nissan and Toyota are inviting customers with any immediate concerns to contact their respective recall helplines, but all affected owners will be contacted by mail.

The issue surfaced in 2008 when several people were killed in separate United States incidents when the faulty module exploded, spraying shrapnel through the interior.

An incorrect assembly process failed to adequately seal the module casing, which allowed moisture to ingress over time, destabilising the propellant.

Impacted Toyota models

Model	Production period
Echo	July 1 2003 - October 25 2005
RAV4	July 31 2003 - October 25 2005
Corolla	May 23 2003 - March 1 2007
Corolla	May 16 2003 - July 2 2005
Corolla	May 9 2003 - October 2005
Yaris	August 19 2005 - March 30 2007
Yaris	January 16 2006 - March 30 2007
Avensis Verso	October 1 2003 - March 30 2007
Avensis Verso	May 23 2003 - October 1 2003