Re: Takata airbag recall - Why is Toyota replacing just the passenger-side airbag, and not the drive Quote:
Originally Posted by ricky_speed ...they haven't recalled the driver side airbag even several years after the passenger side one.
It makes sense to replace both airbags if they are of the same make and have witnessed similar conditions (humidity etc.). Interestingly, Toyota's US recall also seems geared towards the passenger side airbag. ( https://www.toyota.com/recall/takata), with only RAV4 being recalled for driver side airbag. |
Toyota is apparently replacing Takata airbag inflators with a non-Takata product in some models of their cars, and it may be that there are not enough of the products available to carry out replacements on both airbags at this time. Quote:
December 12, 2018: Toyota says it will install new, non-Takata airbag inflators in select 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla small cars, 2002-2005 Toyota Sequoia SUVs, 2003-2005 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks and 2002-2005 Lexus SC cars. A Toyota spokeswoman says that this action is being done a year ahead of schedule, because it has the replacement parts it needs to do the work now. Source | Quote:
12/13/18: Toyota has announced a repeat recall for some 65,000 vehicles that had previously been recalled to replace their Takata passenger-side airbags. The replacement airbags were also made by Takata, although with a different kind of propellant, but the automaker has determined there is still risk that they could rupture unexpectedly. Toyota will replace them again with "an improved one produced by non-Takata suppliers." The affected vehicles are 2002–2005 Lexus SC430 and Toyota Sequoia and 2003–2005 Corolla and Tundra models. Owners will be notified in January. Source |
Some reports seem to indicate that only the passenger airbag inflator module is susceptible to moisture ingress and resultant degradation, leading to explosion on deployment, and resultant injury/death. Quote: Recall Number
18V025000
Recall Date
01/09/2018
Component
AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. What Owners Should Do
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator, free of charge. Source |
OTOH, when recalls involve both airbags, the potential fault appears to be different: Quote: Recall Number
13V029000
Recall Date
01/30/2013
Component
AIR BAGS
The supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits are susceptible to internal shorting. The electrical short may create an abnormal current flow and increased heat which can damage the circuits. This could result in an inadvertent deployment of the front airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners. Consequence
Inadvertent deployment of the airbags or the seat belt pretensioners may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash. What Owners Should Do
Toyota will re-notify their owners who have already had their vehicles repaired with a noise filter, but did not receive a new airbag control module, and General Motors will re-notify theirs. Dealers previously installed a supplemental harness containing an electrical filter between the airbag control module and its wire harness, free of charge. Dealers will replace the airbag control module, free of charge.
_________________________________ Recall Number
15V043000
Recall Date
01/28/2015
Component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated. Consequence
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash. What Owners Should Do
Toyota will notify their owners. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Source |
So IMO, whether both airbags are being replaced, or just the passenger side module, should be dependent on the type of fault the installed units are known to have, by the vehicle and airbag manufacturer.
Just FYI, my daughter's 2006 Toyota Yaris was recalled last year and both airbags were replaced free of cost.
Last edited by SS-Traveller : 10th September 2019 at 13:33.
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