WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor (7203.T) , opens new tab said on Monday it is urging the owners of 50,000 older U.S. vehicles to get immediate recall repairs because an air bag inflator could explode and potentially kill motorists.
The Japanese automaker said the “Do Not Drive” advisory covers some 2003-2004 model year Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4s with Takata air bag inflators.
More than 30 deaths worldwide, including 26 U.S. deaths, and hundreds of injuries in various automakers’ vehicles since 2009 are linked to Takata air bag inflators that can explode, unleashing metal shrapnel inside cars and trucks.
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“A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don’t do one.”
That’s a fun quote but this has been literally THE most expensive and comprehensive automotive recall in history, with upwards of a hundred million cars affected worldwide.
It was also instigated and enforced by government regulators in numerous countries, vehicle manufacturers didn’t really have a choice in the matter.
States in my country (Australia) solved the “recalcitrant owner problem” (which sounds like the issue in the article ) by preventing owners from renewing the registration on their vehicle until the faulty components had been replaced.
Just because it is the most expensive doesn’t mean it would not be MORE expensive to just let people sue you, especially after you know what the problem is. Ignorance is one thing but negligence is a whole other ball game
I am Jack’s apathy. His name was Robert Paulson.
