Its Recall Mondays: Ford, Pontiac, Lexus And Toyota Are In The Hot Seat

1. MANUFACTURER: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

NO. OF AFFECTED CUSTOMERS: 132,086

 

SUMMARY:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

CONSEQUENCE:

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

REMEDY:

Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners will be notified by Toyota beginning March 15, 2016. A date has not yet been provided for Pontiac Vibe owners to be notified by GM. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-285.


2. MANUFACTURER: Ford Motor Company

 

NO. OF AFFECTED CUSTOMERS:

SUMMARY: 48,990

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Transit vehicles manufactured February 13, 2014, to January 13, 2016 and equipped with rear passenger seats. The rear seat belt buckles may be damaged if a heavy object is placed on, or impacts, the top of the buckle. The damage may prevent the buckle from latching or from remaining latched.

CONSEQUENCE:

An unlatched seat belt increases the risk of injury to the occupant in the event of a crash.

REMEDY:

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify or replace the seat belt buckles, depending on their location in the vehicle, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Owners will be notified of the recall March 14, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S06.