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Certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles manufactured between February and June of 2023 have defective welding that can cause their airbags to fail in the event of a collision. When they learned of the problem, Toyota Motor Corporation recalled 100,000 vehicles due to the airbag issues.
If you suffered an injury because of a defective airbag, a Los Angeles car accident attorney could help you pursue compensation for your losses from the liable party. You do not want to try to battle a mega-corporation by yourself.
Which Toyota and Lexus Models Were Recalled
The recall does not affect every model of Toyota or Lexus from 2023. According to Toyota’s Voluntary Recalls webpage, these vehicles got recalled because of the airbag issue:
- Certain 2023 model-year Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross hybrid, Highlander, and Tacoma vehicles were manufactured between specific dates in 2023.
- Certain 2023 model-year Lexus RX and RX hybrid vehicles were manufactured between specific dates in 2023.
- Certain 2024 model-year Lexus NX and NX hybrid vehicles were manufactured between specific dates in 2023.
A total of approximately 110,000 vehicles are a part of this recall. Some recalls expand over time to include more vehicles than initially listed, so if you have a 2023 or 2024 Toyota or Lexus vehicle, you will want to continue to check on this recall.
The Nature of the Airbag Problem in These Vehicles
The steering column has a spiral cable assembly with a circuit that controls the driver’s airbag. There was a problem with the welding of this assembly that resulted in the electrical connection to the assembly failing, which means that the driver’s airbag might not deploy in the event of a collision.
The purpose of an airbag is to protect drivers or passengers from severe injuries or death in a crash. When an airbag does not deploy, the person in the vehicle can be at an increased risk of injury.
What You Should Do if You Have a 2023 Toyota or a 2023 or 2024 Lexus
In vehicles with this defective weld, the airbag warning light should illuminate, letting the driver know that the airbag is not working correctly. If you have one of the recalled Toyota or Lexus vehicles and your airbag warning light has come on, you should have a Toyota or Lexus dealer take a look at your vehicle.
The dealer will check the serial number of the spiral cable. If defective, the dealer will replace the cable for free.
You can check online to see if your Toyota or Lexus is part of this recall. Toyota has a recall website where you can enter either your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or the license plate and state to know if your vehicle needs to get checked by a dealer.
Also, the federal government has a website where you can enter your VIN to check your vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lets you look up your Toyota or Lexus and get additional information about the recall process.
A Los Angeles personal injury attorney could help you seek a financial recovery if you suffered injuries because of this defect. We offer a free consultation with no obligation. Contact our office today.
