Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has issued an urgent warning for Toyota and Lexus owners to check if their vehicles are affected by the Takata Airbag Recall, one of the largest safety recalls in automotive history. The company has relaunched its national awareness campaign, “Don’t Risk It, Fix It,” urging motorists to take immediate action to avoid potential injury or death.
What Is the Takata Airbag Recall?
The Takata airbag scandal, which erupted in 2015, involved a defect in airbag inflators manufactured by Japanese supplier Takata. The issue affects over 100 million vehicles worldwide, including several models sold locally by Toyota, Lexus, and Hino.
The airbags use ammonium nitrate as a propellant. In hot and humid climates, this chemical can degrade over time, causing the airbag inflator to rupture during deployment. When this happens, metal fragments can be shot into the vehicle’s cabin, turning a safety feature into a potential deadly hazard.
Globally, the defect has been linked to over 30 deaths and hundreds of injuries, making it the largest vehicle-related recall in history.
Toyota and Lexus Models Affected in South Africa
TSAM confirmed that a wide range of Toyota, Lexus, and Hino models manufactured between 2002 and 2017 are impacted by the recall. Owners of the following vehicles are urged to check their vehicle’s status immediately:
- 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)
TSAM revealed that 39% of affected vehicles in the country still have not been repaired, highlighting a worrying lack of response to previous recall notices.
Toyota’s New Safety Drive: “Don’t Risk It, Fix It”
To improve recall participation, Toyota has launched a nationwide safety campaign focused on raising awareness and making the repair process more accessible.
“This is not a new recall, but an enhanced effort to reach every affected vehicle,” said Andrew Kirby, President and CEO of Toyota South Africa Motors. “We are removing barriers that prevent customers from acting and making repairs completely free and convenient.”
The campaign includes:
- Reissuing recall notifications to all unresponsive owners.
- Free inspections and airbag replacements through Toyota’s dealership network.
- Community outreach events across all provinces.
- Multilingual communication to ensure inclusivity.
How to Check if Your Toyota or Lexus Is Affected
Motorists can check if their vehicle is part of the recall using several easy methods. You will need your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is listed on your licence disc or registration papers.
Ways to verify your vehicle:
- Call the Toyota Call Centre on 0800 139 111.
- Visit the official recall pages:
- Use the MyToyota, MyLexus, or Hino-Connect smartphone apps for instant confirmation.
Why Acting Now Could Save Lives
TSAM continues to stress the life-threatening risks associated with ignoring the recall. Even if a vehicle has not shown signs of malfunction, the airbag defect can activate without warning.
“Your safety, and that of your passengers, is our top priority,” Kirby added. “We urge every owner to respond immediately — it’s free, quick, and could save your life.”
With thousands of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the country still equipped with faulty Takata airbags, this renewed campaign serves as a critical reminder: don’t delay, check your vehicle today. A few minutes spent verifying your car’s status could prevent a tragedy — so don’t risk it, fix it.
Related article: Ford Expands Recall on Rangers Over ABS Failure Risk Affecting 5 676 Vehicles
