The Toyota Corolla airbag module shorts and can blow up the bag without warning.
Bad airbags and windshield wipers are forcing the recalls of 752,000 Corolla and Corolla Matrix models and 270,000 Lexus IS cars by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S. The two separate safety recalls are the result of a defective airbag control module from TRW that can blowup the front airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners without warning, and a loose nut on a windshield wiper arm.
These are the latest safety problems from Toyota, the automaker that recalled more vehicles in the U.S. during 2012 at 5.2 million, as well as leading in recalls for for two out of the last three years. In a terse press release, Toyota did not say how many complaints it had, how long it has known about the problems, and whether there are accidents, injuries or fatalities associated with the safety defects. It turns out that this is part of a much larger NHTSA investigation into TRW supplied airbag modules. (More Than 17.8 Million Safety Recalls During 2012 in U.S.)
In the case of the Corolla, Toyota claims that the relevant modules have been manufactured with “application-specific” integrated circuits that are susceptible to internal shorting. These integrated circuits can have an internal short circuit that creates abnormal current flow and increased heat. If this occurs, there is a possibility that the modules could become damaged. In some instances, the front airbag(s) and/or seat belt pre-tensioners could inadvertently deploy. The airbag recall also covers 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
The same TRW component resulted in a Chrysler recall of 744,822 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs because the air bag control module may fail causing the front airbags, side curtain airbags, and/or seat belt pre-tensioners to deploy without warning while the vehicle is being operated. Once again automotive electronics are at fault. In this case “electrical noise” during vehicle operation can trigger the airbags, according to a Chrysler NHTSA filing.
The second Lexus IS safety recall involves the front wipers on IS vehicles where the wiper arm nut might not be sufficiently tight. If movement of the wipers is restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow on the windshield, one or both of the wipers could fail.
After the publication of the original version of this story, A Toyota spokesperson said that there were 25 wiper arm reports with associated crashes or injuries. For the airbag there were 47 reports, 18 minor “abrasion injuries consistent with airbag deployment,” and 2 unconfirmed crashes. The original has also been expanded to add details from newly available NHTSA filings on 4 February 2013.
(Read AutoInformed on Toyota to Pay Record $17.35 Million for Lexus Safety Cover-Up and Toyota Settles Lawsuits for $1.1 Billion and Will Modify Millions of Vehicles with Electronically Controlled Gas Pedals to Stop Runaways)
