Airbag fault spurs Toyota recall

The vehicles covered by the NZ recall are Yaris and RAV4 cars made between 2003 and 2005 and Corolla, Picnic and Yaris made from 2001 to 2007.

Toyota is recalling more than 26,000 New Zealand vehicles over a possible airbag fault.

The action is part of a worldwide recall of more than five million Toyotas fitted with airbags from supplier Takata.

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The vehicles covered by the NZ recall are Yaris and RAV4 cars made between 2003 and 2005 and Corolla, Picnic and Yaris made from 2001 to 2007.

Overseas, major carmakers have recalled 20 million vehicles because of the risk their Takata airbags could improperly inflate and rupture, potentially firing deadly shrapnel at the occupants.

At least five deaths have been linked to the defect.

Nissan is also calling back 1.56 million vehicles worldwide due to the fault, but no one from its NZ office was available late last night to say if any cars here were to be checked.