Toyota Motor Corporation has urged owners of approximately 50,000 older vehicles in the United States to promptly address recall repairs due to potential airbag inflator issues. The Japanese automaker's advisory targets specific models, including certain 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix, as well as 2004-2005 RAV4 vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators.

The precautionary measure comes in response to concerns over the potential risk of airbag inflator explosions, which could result in serious harm or even fatalities for motorists. Toyota's advisory is based on the identification of defective airbag inflators, which have been associated with more than 30 fatalities globally, including 26 in the United States, along with numerous injuries in vehicles from various manufacturers since 2009.

The recall encompasses a significant number of vehicles, marking it as one of the largest auto safety recalls in history. Over the past decade, more than 67 million Takata airbag inflators have been recalled in the United States by over 20 automakers, with over 100 million inflators recalled worldwide.

Specifically, Toyota has identified the RAV4 recall as pertaining to the driver's airbag, while recalls for Corolla and Corolla Matrix models involve the front passenger airbag exclusively. Additionally, certain Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles are subject to a secondary recall related to the potential for inadvertent airbag deployment, even in the absence of a crash.

The issuance of a "Do Not Drive" advisory underscores the seriousness of the safety concerns associated with the affected vehicles. Similar actions have been taken by other automakers in response to incidents involving older Takata airbag inflators. However, Toyota has not disclosed whether the warning was prompted by a specific incident resulting in serious injury or fatality.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has yet to provide official commentary on the matter, but the urgency of the situation underscores the importance of addressing recall repairs promptly.

In recent years, several incidents involving faulty Takata airbag inflators have prompted recalls and safety warnings from automakers. Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, issued a similar warning for 2003 Dodge Ram pickups following a fatal accident involving a Takata airbag inflator explosion. Similarly, Honda Motor issued a "Do Not Drive" warning for certain Acura and Honda vehicles following fatal incidents attributed to defective Takata airbag inflators.

The safety of motorists remains a top priority for automakers, and proactive measures such as recalls and safety advisories are crucial for mitigating potential risks and ensuring the well-being of vehicle occupants.

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