Toyota, GM Issue Urgent Warnings to Stop Driving Four Old Models
Ever since I had to take my old 2006 Hyundai Sonata into the nearest dealership because of an air bag issue--this was many years ago--my ears always perk up when recalls or warnings are issued by car companies, but General Motors in particular. I drive a Chevy, after all.
But this new warning is of quite an urgent nature and involves older models that Toyota and GM are urging motorists to stop driving immediately.
Toyota is urging the owners of 50,000 older vehicles to stop driving the cars immediately and get their airbags fixed. According to the voluntary recall, the vehicles should not be driven until their faulty airbags have been repaired or replaced. Because of the age of the airbags, it's more likely that a part inside could explode and shoot sharp metal fragments, which could lead to serious injury or even death, the automaker said.
The vehicles in question are the 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix and the 2004-2005 RAV4.
The GM warning is in regard to the 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe. The Pontiac brand was discontinued in 2010.
61,000 vehicles are being recalled--50,000 Toyotas and 11,000 Pontiacs. And the risk is so great that owners of these vehicles are being asked to call a dealership and make arrangements to get the them there without driving them. If you don't know whether or not your vehicle is part of the recall, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website and enter your 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN). In fact, it's recommended you do that ANYTIME vehicles are recalled.
This new warning comes just a one month after Toyota had to recall some about one million vehicles because of an air bag deployment issue.
Toyota customers may also call customer support at the Toyota Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-331-4331.
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