Toyota recalls almost 50,000 Corollas

Australia's most popular passenger car, the Toyota Corolla, has been recalled over an airbag fitment issue.

More than 48,000 Toyota Corolla hatchbacks and sedans – and a handful of Rukus vehicles – that have already had their passenger side front airbags replaced as part of the deadly Takata airbag recall have been recalled for a second time.

Toyota Australia confirmed to motoring.com.au that the replacement airbags are considered "safe" and will not blast occupants with shrapnel like the lethal Takata Alpha airbags, which have so far killed one Australian motorist and 23 globally.

However, some of the replacement airbag inflators were incorrectly installed, requiring another inspection and potential refit.

"If vehicles have an incorrectly installed inflator, the passenger's front airbag may not properly inflate as designed during deployment, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident," said Toyota.

Toyota Corolla and Rukus vehicles sold between March 2007 and December 2012 are affected, and Toyota says owners of affected vehicles will be notified if their car is affected.

The inspection takes 15 minutes and can only be done at a Toyota dealership. In the event that the airbag was incorrectly installed, the repair time is around 90 minutes and will be carried out free of charge.

Toyota has a hotline that customers can call to find out if their car is affected (1800 987 366).