Toyota recall hits 3.37m cars amid airbag and emissions issues

30 Jun 2016

Following news of faulty airbags and the recall of almost 1.5m cars, Toyota now says 3.37m cars will be recalled as emissions problems emerged.

Some of Toyota’s hybrid cars were under a haze of concern earlier in the week as news of possible airbag inflator defects affected 1.43m 2010-2012 Prius and Lexus CT200h cars worldwide.

However, within 48 hours, that number had more than doubled as news emerged of fuel line problems, with a further 1.9m vehicles affected – Auris, Corolla, Zelas, Lucas and Lexus HS250h and CT200h vehicles produced from April 2006 to August 2015.

Although the number was reported as almost 2.9m cars for the second recall, almost one million crossed over both faults, resulting in 3.37m recalls in total.

The airbag issue relates to potential cracks in some inflators, which could result in unwanted inflation.

The Guardian alleges that this issue comes from Autoliv-supplied airbags, 90pc of which were in Prius vehicles.

“Autoliv said it was aware of seven incidents where a side curtain air bag had partially inflated in parked Toyota Prius cars, but no injuries were reported,” said The Guardian’s report.

As for the emissions worry, Toyota says there is a possibility that cracks could develop in the coating of the emissions channel, which is not good.

“As a result of this condition, the cracks could expand over time and, eventually, fuel may leak from these cracks when the vehicle has a full tank of petrol,” said the company.

There have been no reported accidents or injuries linked to this issue, according to Toyota.

Customers can check if their vehicle is affected by the registration look-up tool on the main Toyota and Lexus websites. The company has said no payment will be needed for vehicle inspections and repairs.

Toyota has been branching out into new ventures with significant investment into internet of things in recent months.

Late last year, it put $1bn into a new R&D lab in Silicon Valley, while its interest in the iBot wheelchair that can negotiate rough terrain shows just how broad a reach it’s aiming for.

Main Toyota image via Vladimirs_Gorelovs/Shutterstock

Gordon Hunt was a journalist with Silicon Republic

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