Toyota Corolla Cross Airbag Recall Plagues 96,000 Models
News of yet another airbag recall for Toyota has cropped up again. This time, the Toyota Corolla Cross SUV is in the airbag recall hot seat. Toyota announced this week that tens of thousands of Corolla Cross models would need airbag inspections.
What’s the recall on the Toyota Corolla Cross?
Toyota released a recall for 96,000 2022 and 2023 Corolla Cross SUVs that may have faulty passenger-side airbags.
According to Autoblog, a manufacturing defect could prevent the passenger airbag from deploying effectively. Clearly, that’s a significant safety concern that Toyota will want to address as quickly as possible.
Toyota has instructed affected Corolla Cross owners to avoid using the front passenger seat until they address the recall.
Which Toyota Corolla Cross models are affected by the airbag recall?
Autoblog says that the airbag recall will affect only non-hybrid 2022 and 2023 Corolla Cross models. Even with hybrid variants excluded, the recall still includes nearly 100,000 examples.
Not every Corolla Cross sold in the U.S. is included in the recall. Owners can search vehicle identification numbers (VIN) with the Toyota or NHTSA websites to see if their vehicles are included.
This isn’t Toyota’s first rodeo with airbag recalls
The Corolla Cross situation is only the most recent in a long history of Toyota airbag recalls.
Toyota was among many automakers that produced vehicles with airbags sourced from the Japanese brand Takata. In the late 2000s, it became clear that many of these Takata airbags posed a threat to passengers – these airbags could sometimes explode, sending metal shrapnel toward the passenger.
Multiple deaths and injuries came to light through the years. As a result, automakers like Toyota to issue massive recalls for millions of cars.
The Takata airbag saga has dragged on for over a decade, with OEMs like Toyota continuing to urge owners to follow through on recalls.
Is the new recall related to Takata?
No – the Corolla Cross recall isn’t related to the old Takata airbags. It’s a new issue that has developed with a different component on 2022 and 2023 Corolla Cross models.
Autoblog says that Toyota will send correspondence to Corolla Cross owners in July.
About the Toyota Corolla Cross
The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross is a subcompact crossover that offers a smaller, more affordable alternative to the popular Toyota RAV4.
While the RAV4 has grown in size and complexity, the Corolla Cross goes back to basics. It’s a small, practical, efficient crossover with entry-level pricing. While it may not be the most exciting vehicle, the Corolla Cross is a great bang-for-buck option with a starting price of just $22,445.
