Toyota Motor stated on Tuesday it is set to recall 3.4 million vehicles worldwide as an electronic defect that can result in air bags not deploying in accidents.
The recall, which concerns 2.9 million U.S. vehicles, covers 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles and is connected to a reported fatal crash.
The vehicles may have an electronic control unit that does not have proper protection against electrical noise that can take place in crashes, which could result in an incomplete or non-deployment of the air bags. It could also obstruct the operation of seat-belt pretensioners.
In April, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) extended an investigation into 12.3 million possibly defective air bags covering numerous automakers, including the vehicles Toyota is recalling.
NHTSA stated in April it had identified two frontal crash events, which included one fatal crash “involving Toyota products where (electrical overstress) is suspected as the likely cause” of air bags not deploying. Both incidents involved newer Corolla cars.
NHTSA stated the air bags under investigation were installed in over 12 million vehicles from 2010 through 2019 sold by Toyota, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, Honda Motor, Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and Mitsubishi.
They were geared up with an air bag control unit initially produced by TRW Automotive Holdings, which is currently owned by ZF Friedrichshafen.
Overall, NHTSA stated about eight deaths could be connected to the issue.
Hyundai, Kia and Fiat Chrysler earlier released recalls for over 2.5 million vehicles with the TRW air bag control units in question that might not deploy during crashes.
When it recalled almost 2 million vehicles for air bag non-deployments in 2016, Fiat Chrysler stated it had reports of three deaths and five injuries that might be associated with the defect.
Hyundai and Kia eventually recalled over 1 million vehicles for air bag non-deployment issues in 2018. Hyundai and Kia in 2018 stated they had reports of four deaths and six injuries in North America connected to the issue.
Toyota dealers will position a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness if required.
Toyota refused to tell how many deaths or injuries have been connected to the defect. Toyota will let vehicle owners know of the recall by mid-March.
