9:57 am, April 11, 2013
HONDA, Toyota, Nissan and Mazda dealers will soon be dealing with an influx of workshop activity – after the manufacturers recalled 3.4 million cars globally over a defective part which could ’cause the airbag inflator to rupture and deploy the airbag abnormally in a crash’.
Toyota is recalling the most models in the UK, with 76,000 cars due to head back to the dealers for a thorough once over. Nissan says almost 60,000 UK models were involved, Honda will recall 14,475 cars and Mazda just 1,913.
All manufacturers have cited a faulty component supplied by Takata as the main cause of the recall with most affected cars manufactured between 2000 and 2004.
A Toyota spokesperson said: ‘We have informed VOSA who will soon release the addresses of those affected to us so we can write to them.
‘We will then ask customers to visit their local dealers where the part will be replaced for free in around an hour to two and half hours, depending on the model.’
‘Customers who wish to find out more can log on to our website Toyota.co.uk, enter their registration or VIN number and it will automatically inform them if their vehicle is affected.’
Honda says the majority of vehicles affected are CR-Vs built at the Swindon plant between 2002-2003. A small number of Jazz and Stream variants built between 2001-2002 are also included in the recall.
A Honda spokesperson said: ‘Naturally, we are in contact with the DVLA to ensure we can contact all registered owners of those vehicles affected.’
This is the third recall Toyota has experienced in the past 12 months, with two major recalls occurring at the tail end of last year. A Toyota spokesperson said: ‘We are getting better at these and customers like the fact the we are proactive, contact them and fix their car free of charge to ensure it is as safe as it can possibly be.’
A list of affected UK models can be found below (between 2000-2004 unless stated):
Honda
CR-V, Jazz and Stream
Toyota
Corolla, Yaris, Avensis, Avensis Verso, Picnic, Camry, Lexus SC430
Nissan
X-Trail, Patrol, Almera, Almera Tino, Terrano II and Navara
Mazda
Mazda 6, 2002-2003 models only
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