According to a report by Reuters, the four major Japanese carmakers: Toyota, Nissan, Mazda and Honda; are all recalling a total of 3.4-million vehicles worldwide. This is as a result of a potential failure of the airbags supplied by component supplier, Takata Corporation, the companies said on Thursday.
A spokesman for Toyota said its recall was based on five cases of airbags inflating incorrectly in Japan and in the US. No injuries or deaths have been reported. Nevertheless, Toyota is recalling 1.7-million vehicles globally, including 580 000 in North America and 490 000 in Europe. Honda said it was recalling about 1.1-million vehicles worldwide. Nissan said it was recalling about 480 000 vehicles globally, while Mazda said it would recall about 45 500.
Toyohiro Hishikawa, a spokesman for Japanese vehicle parts maker Takata Corporation, said the airbags related to the recalls affect driver and front passenger airbags. The airbags may not inflate correctly because of a manufacturing defect in the propellant used in the airbag inflator. As a result, there is a risk of fires starting, or of passengers being injured by metal fragments shooting into the cabin.
Toyota says the fix is expected to take about an hour to two-and-a-half hours for most models. The spokesman from Toyota declined to give the costs related to the recall.
In the affected markets, the Toyota recall pertains to cars from November 2000 to March 2004. Honda will recall mostly CR-V models made between 2002 and 2003. Nissan’s recall affects its X-Trail, Patrol, Almera, Almera and Navara models built between 2000 and 2004. We understand that Toyota cars affected locally include, but may not be limited to: Yaris and Corolla models sold from 2000 to 2004. Toyota South Africa will cover the the repairs even if the cars are out of warranty. Be sure to get in touch with your local dealer to see if your car is involved.
