The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE-SPOKE STYLE STEERING WHEEL. DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOTTOM SEAM OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE COVER (HORN PAD) COULD BE TORN AWAY ALLOWING THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE COVER TO COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE.
The risk
IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Lexus ES300 | 2002 |
| Toyota Camry | 2002 |
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus ES300 | 2002 | 153 | 2 |
| Toyota Camry | 2002 | 953 | 4 |
Other air bags recalls in 2001
14 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the air bags; TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. filed 95 campaigns in all.
| 01V373000 5 Dec 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 01V347000 6 Nov 2001 | HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V318000 3 Oct 2001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V306000 25 Sept 2001 | TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 01V237000 20 Jul 2001 | EUROPA INTERNATIONAL, INC. |
| 01V222000 2 Jul 2001 | SAAB CARS USA, INC. |
| 01V168000 18 May 2001 | SAAB CARS USA, INC. |
| 01V153000 8 May 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001