Recall 13V133000: Front Passenger Air Bag Defect

REPORT RECEIPT DATE: April 11, 2013

NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V133000

COMPONENT(S): Air Bags

POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: Unknown

ALL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL

VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL MODEL YEAR(S)

Lexus SC 2002-2004

Pontiac Vibe 2002-2004

Toyota Corolla 2002-2004

Toyota Matrix 2002-2004

Toyota Sequoia 2002-2004

Toyota Tundra 2002-2004

DETAILS

2 Associated Documents

MANUFACTURER: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

SUMMARY:
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, Tundra, Lexus SC, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

CONSEQUENCE:
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

REMEDY:
Toyota will notify owners of affected Toyota and Lexus vehicles and General Motors will notify owners of affected Pontiac Vibe vehicles. Toyota, Lexus, and GM dealers will inspect vehicles, and where a defective air bag inflator is identified, the inflator will be replaced, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided the agency with a notification schedule. Toyota and Lexus owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.