Toyota has issued a voluntary recall, urging owners of approximately 50,000 older vehicles to immediately cease driving their cars and have their airbags fixed. The automaker has identified a potential risk of explosions occurring within the airbags, which could result in the ejection of sharp metal fragments and lead to severe injury or even death.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Toyota emphasized in a statement, "Owners SHOULD NOT DRIVE these vehicles until the FREE safety recall repair has been conducted." The company is recommending that owners not drive the vehicles to get them fixed. Instead, they are advised to contact their local dealer, who can arrange various options such as a mobile repair at the vehicle's location or the option to tow the car to the dealership for repairs.

The recall primarily targets Toyota RAV4s, which have faulty driver's side airbags manufactured by Takata. Additionally, certain models of the Corolla and Matrix are also affected by the recall, as their airbags may be deployed without a crash, posing further risks. Owners of these vehicles are urged to take immediate action to ensure their safety.

This voluntary recall is prompted by Toyota's commitment to the safety of its customers. It comes just one month after the automaker recalled approximately 1 million cars in the United States, due to concerns that the front passenger airbags may not deploy correctly during a crash, posing an increased risk of injury.

The root cause of these safety concerns lies in Takata's use of volatile ammonium nitrate to trigger a small explosion for inflating airbags during a collision. However, over time, this chemical propellant can deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. As a result, airbags manufactured by Takata can explode with excessive force, causing the metal canister to rupture and releasing dangerous shards of shrapnel.

The repercussions of these faulty airbags have already proven fatal, with at least 26 deaths reported in the United States since May 2009. A further 30 fatalities have occurred globally, including instances in Malaysia and Australia. Additionally, approximately 400 people have been injured due to these defective airbags, prompting Takata of Japan to declare bankruptcy.

To address this critical safety issue, Toyota has announced that the repair or replacement of the faulty airbags will be conducted free of charge. Concerned car owners can check if their vehicles are part of the recall by entering their VIN number or license number on Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls. Alternatively, they can reach out to Toyota customer support at the Toyota Brand Engagement Center by dialing 1-800-331-4331.

Toyota's proactive response in urging owners to address this potentially life-threatening issue promptly underscores their commitment to ensuring the safety of their customers. By taking the necessary steps to rectify the faulty airbags, both Toyota and its customers can contribute to preventing further injuries and loss of life on the roads.