6000 Toyota Corolla ZZE122, ZZE123 added to Takata airbags recall

It’s one of Toyota’s most popular vehicles, but if you’ve got one you need to check if it’s still safe for you to drive.

A further 6000 vehicles have been added to the number of cars that needed to be recalled due to Takata airbags, as Toyota adds two more Corolla models to the list.

The affected Toyota Corolla models are ZZE122 and ZZE123 with model years between 2003-2005, and have now been added to the compulsory recall.

The addition comes after two passengers suffered burns and cuts from flying metal shrapnel from a misdeployed airbag after the 2004 Corolla they were travelling in rear-ended another car in Sydney a month ago.

RELATED: Aussies urged: ‘Fill up as soon as you can’

A 2004 Toyota Corolla like the kind added to the compulsory recall of Takata airbags.

RELATED: ’Expensive mistake’ drivers are making

The vehicles were already under voluntary recall for the driver side airbags, but are now under compulsory recall as the passenger airbags are Takata bags too.

Around the world there have been at least 29 deaths and more than 320 injuries associated with Takata airbags according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

In Australia, there has been one death and one serious injury reported.

“These Takata airbags are dangerous and can explode with too much force which can send sharp metal fragments into the vehicle cabin at high speed, potentially killing or seriously injuring its occupants,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said.

You can check if your car is part of the recall via the Is My Airbag Safe? website.

RELATED: Drivers’ ‘crazy’ acts around trams

Your manufacturer will replace the airbags for free.

Ms Rickard said it’s vitally important that consumers get the recall done if relevant to their vehicle and the airbags are replaced for free.

The Takata airbags recall has been the largest recall operation in automotive industry history, with an estimated 100 million affected vehicles around the world.

There is a design defect in the bags that may make them explode with too much force, hurting passengers rather than saving them.

Originally published as 6000 Toyota Corolla ZZE122, ZZE123 added to Takata airbags recall