Toyota Provides Update on Takata Airbags in New Vehicles

(TORONTO, ON – September, 2016) Toyota will phase out the use of Takata frontal airbag inflators in production of new vehicles that contain phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant without a drying agent (“desiccant”) by the end of October 2016.   

The only Canadian market Toyota/Lexus vehicles currently in production receiving Takata frontal PSAN airbag inflators without desiccant are the early 2017 model year Lexus GX 460 and 2016 model year Toyota 4Runner.

Models that may be in dealer inventory at this time equipped with Takata frontal PSAN airbag inflators without desiccant are:

• 2015 model year Lexus IS250C/350C
• 2015 model year Scion xB
• 2015 and 2016 model years Lexus GX460
• 2015 and 2016 Toyota 4Runner
• 2017 model year Lexus GX 460

Note, these are all frontal passenger airbag inflators.

Importantly, these non-desiccated Takata passenger frontal PSAN airbag inflators in these new vehicles are not subject to a current recall.

Based on multiple independent investigations and NHTSA’s independent expert, NHTSA has concluded that non-desiccated frontal Takata airbag inflators do not pose an unreasonable risk to safety until they reach a certain level of propellant degradation after long-term exposure to environmental moisture and fluctuating high temperatures. NHTSA and Takata are prioritizing recalls of these components through to 2019 based on when involved inflators are likely to pose an unreasonable risk to safety, considering time, temperature and environmental moisture, which depends on a vehicle’s operating location. Toyota will take appropriate steps to remain compliant with Transport Canada regulations based on priorities determined by the level of risk associated with involved vehicles in Canada.

Additional information about Takata recalls for Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles is available at http://www.toyota.ca/TakataAirbagRecall.

About Toyota Canada Inc.
Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles.  Toyota has sold over 5 million vehicles in Canada through a national network of 286 Toyota and Lexus dealerships.  Toyota is dedicated to bringing safety, quality, dependability and reliability in the vehicles Canadians drive and the service they receive.  TCI’s head office is located in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver.  Toyota operates two manufacturing facilities in Canada. Having produced more than seven million vehicles, popular Canadian models built at these facilities include Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla, Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid.

###