Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has renewed its call for vehicle owners to urgently verify whether their cars are part of the global Takata Airbag Recall. Although the issue first surfaced in 2015, the manufacturer says thousands of local vehicles remain unrepaired. This is posing serious safety risks to drivers and passengers across the country.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A Recall That Shook the Automotive World
The Takata airbag crisis remains the biggest vehicle-related recall in history, affecting more than 100 million cars worldwide. Japanese company Takata manufactured the airbags using a defective propellant, ammonium nitrate, which degrades in hot and humid conditions. This chemical instability can cause the airbag to explode violently during deployment, sending sharp metal fragments into the cabin.
Faulty airbags have caused more than 30 deaths and hundreds of injuries worldwide, prompting automakers, including Toyota, to act immediately.
Models Affected in the Country
TSAM confirmed that the Takata airbag recall affects several Toyota, Lexus, and Hino models built between 2002 and 2017. Below is the full list of affected vehicles:
- Toyota Corolla (2002–2017)
- Toyota RAV4 (2003–2005)
- Toyota Fortuner (2005–2015)
- Toyota Hilux (2004–2015)
- Toyota Yaris (2005–2017)
- Toyota Avensis (2006–2008)
- Toyota Auris (2007–2013)
- Toyota RunX (2002–2007)
- Lexus IS (2006–2012)
- Lexus SC (2008)
- Lexus RX (2016)
- Hino 300 Series (2011–2017)
Despite repeated warnings, 39% of these vehicles have still not been repaired, raising concerns among safety advocates.
‘Don’t Risk It, Fix It’ Campaign
To address this, Toyota has launched a fresh awareness drive under the banner “Don’t Risk It, Fix It”. The campaign aims to reach vehicle owners who have not yet responded to recall notices and ensure that every affected car is repaired at no cost.
“This is not a new recall, but rather an enhanced campaign,” said TSAM CEO Andrew Kirby. “We want to eliminate barriers that prevent owners from taking action and make it as easy as possible for them to fix their vehicles.”
The campaign includes:
- Reissuing recall notifications to affected owners.
- Free safety inspections and repairs through Toyota’s dealership and service network.
- Community awareness events to spread the message.
- Multilingual communication to ensure accessibility across all communities.
How to Check if Your Car Is Affected
Toyota, Lexus, and Hino owners are urged to check their vehicle status immediately. You’ll need your car’s VIN number, which can be found on your licence disc or vehicle documentation.
Motorists can:
- Call Toyota’s Recall Helpline on 0800 139 111.
- Visit the official recall pages:
- Or use the MyToyota, MyLexus, and Hino-Connect apps for an instant status check.
Your Safety Could Depend on It
TSAM reiterated that safety remains its top priority. “We urge every owner to take this matter seriously,” Kirby said. “Even if your vehicle seems fine, ignoring the recall could have deadly consequences. Please, don’t risk it—fix it.”
With thousands of vehicles still on the road equipped with potentially lethal airbags, Toyota’s latest campaign serves as a vital reminder: a simple safety check could save your life.
Related article: Ford Expands Recall on Rangers Over ABS Failure Risk: 5 676 Units Affected
