Toyota issues latest Takata-related recall: calling Vios, Altis, Alphard and Yaris owners

By ahmadzulizwan ,

Recall involves 80,000 vehicles, all manufactured between October 2007 and December 2011

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Some say that even a bad promotion is good for a company. Well, tell that to Takata shareholders. Yesterday, UMW Toyota Motor Sd. Bhd. (UMWT) announced that they are organising a Special Service Campaign (read: recall) for the replacement of the inflator module of the SRS airbag of specific models (front passenger side).

The fault is found to be possible propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures and high temperature cycling. Inflator modules which contain a non-desiccated, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant may cause the rupture of the module. Should such a situation occur, metal fragments will pass through the airbag as it inflates and into the vehicle interior at high speed.  As a result, serious injury or death could occur.

The models involved are the Toyota Vios, Corolla Altis, Alphard and Yaris in Malaysia; specifically those manufactured between October 2007 and December 2011. The number of units involved is around 80,000 units, all distributed by UMWT.

Other cars affected by the recall but imported by other parties and sold locally are not included in this number. We asked UMWT and they said that while (grey) imported Alphard owners can send their cars for this Takata airbag inspection, the company can only advice the owners about what to do next. Apparently, they will need to take it up with TMC first, or so we’re told.

Toyota Motor Corporation is currently obtaining the necessary parts to solve this issue. Once available, UMWT will start to notify owners and request them to bring the vehicles to authorised Toyota service centres for the required repairs. The work itself should take between one to three hours.

UMWT is aware that some customers who are not the first owner of these vehicles may not be contactable.  To ensure the safety of Toyota owners UMWT advised Toyota owners who own these vehicles to contact any authorised Toyota service centre or calling the Toyota Freephone at 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682).

For this new SSC, UMWT is also currently updating the VIN database and Toyota owners in Malaysia can visit the VIN Checker webpage through https://toyota.com.my/aftersales-services/special-service-campaigns.