Toyota warns drivers of 50,000 vehicles to immediately stop driving and repair the cars

Toyota urges owners of 50,000 older cars to stop driving the cars immediately and have their airbags repaired. According to the voluntary recall, vehicles should not be driven until the defective airbags are repaired or replaced.

Thursday's recall notice covers these models:

• 2003-2004 Corolla
• 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix
• 2004-2005 RAV4

The automaker said that because of the age of the airbags, a part inside them would likely explode and release sharp metal fragments, which could lead to serious injury or even death.

“Owners should not drive these vehicles until the complimentary safety recall repair has been performed,” Toyota said He said In the statement.

Toyota said it recommends owners not drive the vehicles for repairs. Instead, vehicle owners should contact their local dealer, who can arrange a number of other options, such as performing a mobile repair at the vehicle's location or having the vehicle towed to the dealership.

Takata airbags

The recalled RAV4s have Takata driver-side airbags, while the Corolla and Matrix models have passenger-side airbags. The company said that the Corolla and Matrix are also subject to a separate recall because their airbags can be deployed without a collision.

Voluntary remembers It comes about one month After Toyota recalled about a million cars in the United States because the front passenger airbags may not inflate properly in the event of an accident, posing an additional risk of injury to passengers.

Takata used volatile ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in the event of an accident. But chemical fuels can deteriorate over time when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. They can explode with very great force, blowing up a metal can and scattering shrapnel.

At least 26 people have been killed in the United States by Takata inflators since May 2009, and at least 30 people have died worldwide, including people in Malaysia and Australia. In addition, about 400 people were injured. The explosive airbags were sent by the Japanese company Takata To bankruptcy.

The automaker said the airbag will be repaired or replaced free of charge.

You can check if your vehicle is part of the recall by entering your VIN or license number at Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls. Vehicle owners can also contact Toyota Customer Support at the Toyota Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-331-4331.

-With Associated Press reporting.