Recall wrap: Lexus expands Takata airbag program

The Takata airbag scandal shows no sign of letting up, with Lexus once more announcing recalls for defective airbags fitted to its products.

This time around, the recall notice affects more of the previous generation IS models and the mega-expensive LFA. The latest IS models dragged into the scandal are the IS 250 (565 cars), IS 250C (260 cars), IS 350 (1231 cars) and IS-F (100 cars). All 10 of the LFA are subject to the recall notice as well. These cars are in addition to the IS models built between 2005-11 and reported back in June of last year.

As was the case then, the new batch is to have front-passenger airbags replaced. The new recall notice applies to IS models built between January and December 2012.

Our back-of-envelope calculations suggest the number of vehicles in Australia recalled for Takata airbags is now approaching 1.6 million cars.

Jaguar Land Rover is also recalling the Discovery Sport and the Range Rover Evoque this week, but not for Takata airbags. During the production process for the cars, a wiring loom in the engine bay may have been routed incorrectly, leading to chafing of the wiring sheath and exposing the wires. This could result in short circuiting, engine shut-down, steering malfunction and smoke or fire under the bonnet.

Vehicles affected are 2017 model year Discovery Sport (497 vehicles involved) and 2016/17 model year Range Rover Evoque (300 vehicles). In both cases the vehicles are diesel-engined with automatic transmission fitted. JLR Australia will contact owners to bring the vehicles to the nearest authorised dealer once new parts are available.

Australian vehicles affected by the Takata recall so far:
BMW 3 Series 1998-2005
BMW 5 Series 2002-2005
BMW X5 2002-2005
Chrysler 300C 2005-2012
Chrysler Grand Voyager 2008-2010
Dodge Journey 2009-2010
Dodge RAM 2004-2010
Ferrari 458 Italia
Ferrari 458 Spider
Ferrari 458 Speciale/Speciale A
Ferrari California T
Ferrari FF
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
Honda Accord 2001-2006
Honda Accord Euro 2004-2007
Honda City 2009-2012
Honda Civic 2004-2011
Honda CR-V 2002-2008
Honda CR-V 2007-2011
Honda Insight 2010-12
Honda Jazz 2004-2009
Honda Jazz 2006-2012
Honda Jazz 2012-2014
Honda Jazz Hybrid 2012
Honda Legend 2007-2012
Honda MDX 2003-2006
Jeep Cherokee manual 2006
Jeep Wrangler manual 2006
Jeep Wrangler 2007-2012
Lexus IS 2005-11
Lexus IS 2012
Lexus LFA
Lexus SC430 2003-2007
Mazda2 2007-2014
Mazda6 2002-2007
Mazda B2500/2600 2002-2007
Mazda B Series 2006
Mazda BT-50 2006-2011
Mazda E-Series 2002-2007
Mazda T-Series 2002-2007
Mazda RX-8 2002-2007
Mazda RX-8 2003-2012
Mercedes-Benz SL 2014
Mercedes-Benz SLK 2014
Mitsubishi CH Lancer 2003-2008
Mitsubishi CY/CZ Lancer EVO 2003-2008
Mitsubishi ML and MN Triton 2007-2014
Nissan Maxima 2001-2007
Nissan Maxima (J31) 2007-2008
Nissan Micra 2010-2011
Nissan Navara 2001-2007
Nissan Navara (D22) 2007-2012
Nissan Navara (D40) 2008-2014
Nissan Patrol 2001-2007
Nissan Patrol (Y61) 2007-2012
Nissan Pulsar 2001-2007
Nissan Tiida (C11) 2006-2012
Nissan X-TRAIL 2001-2007
Nissan X-TRAIL (T30) 2007-2008
Subaru Impreza 2004-2007
Subaru Impreza 2008-2009
Subaru Forester 2009
Subaru Liberty, Outback, Tribeca – 2004-2009
Toyota Avensis 2003-2009
Toyota Corolla 2003-2009
Toyota Echo 2003-2005
Toyota RAV4 2003-2005
Toyota Yaris 2005-2011