Passenger side: inflator moduleRecall 18V-883 · Lexus and Pontiac vehicles
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing recall 18V-883 covers 168,993 Lexus and Pontiac vehicles for a passenger side: inflator module problem, reported to NHTSA on December 12, 2018. The manufacturer's latest report (2021 Q3) shows 63% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 18V883000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. 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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are J0A (Zone A Toyota), J0B (Zone B Toyota), J0C (Zone C Toyota), JLI (Zone A Lexus), JLJ (Zone B Lexus), and JLK (Zone C Lexus). Note: This recall includes vehicles that have had their air bag previously replaced under an earlier air bag campaign.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fast cars are being fixed
63%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. 2,338 vehicles were listed as unreachable.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from January 2, 2001 to June 4, 2007. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.
The investigation behind this recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureNHTSA