In involved vehicles, the non-desiccated propellant that inflates the passengers front airbag could absorb moisture and degrade. This is either due to deficiencies during the manufacturing process (alpha), or after prolonged exposure to high humidity and fluctuating high temperatures (beta). 

It is important to note, moisture intrusion in affected inflator propellant is a result of exposure to:

• high humidity; and
• fluctuating high temperatures.

No. There are no warnings or other indicators that this condition exists.

In the Australian market, as of 30 April 2019:

• Lexus has replaced approximately 23,451 affected Takata airbag inflators; and
• Approximately 1,887 Lexus vehicles are subject to an active Takata airbag recall.

Please refer to the table here for vehicles fitted with Takata airbag inflators (alpha or beta) subject to active recall. You can also check the status of a Toyota vehicle on Toyota’s VIN checker here.

No. All affected Lexus vehicles are now under active recall. 

You can check the status of your specific Lexus vehicle by searching for your vehicle and VIN number here. 

Lexus contacts all customers directly at the time of active recall initiation, so it is important your contact details are up to date. While Lexus seeks to contact affected vehicle owners directly, we may be unable to do so if accurate contact details are not available. Please update your contact details here or by contacting the Lexus Customer Assistance Centre on 1800 023 009 (Monday - Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm AEST).

Your vehicle might be listed for a Takata recall even if it has already been subject to a Takata recall - if so, you can find more information below in the answer to the Commonly Asked Question ‘Have non-desiccated Takata inflators been used as replacements?'

The inflator is a device contained within the airbag assembly. It contains a solid propellant which is ignited in the event airbag deployment is necessary. When ignited, the solid propellant expands into an inert gas, inflating the airbag.

Vehicle owners with an ‘alpha’ affected Takata airbag should stop driving their vehicle immediately and urgently contact a Lexus Dealer to organise towing (free of charge).

The condition causing the defect is explained further above in the Commonly Asked Question ‘What is the condition?’.

All affected Takata airbags must be replaced if under active recall.

Desiccants collect moisture present in their immediate environment, helping to limit moisture absorption of other nearby materials, such as propellant in an airbag inflator.

Desiccants are commonly placed inside the packaging of new goods to collect moisture. For example: pharmaceuticals, shoes and handbags.

If the non-dessicated propellant degrades, the inflator can become over-pressurised and the airbag can go off with too much explosive force during deployment, causing sharp metal fragments to shoot out and kill or seriously injure people in the vehicle.

To immediately secure safety in the face of parts supply challenges globally, new Takata-produced inflators without desiccant have been used as replacement parts in addition to Takata inflators with desiccant or inflators produced by alternate suppliers. 

Best evidence says that the use of Takata non-desiccated inflators as replacements removes immediate risk; however to ensure long-term safety, Takata non-desiccated inflators require replacement 6 years from the date of installation.

This means that in some cases, to ensure long term safety, replacement airbags will need to be replaced again. Lexus understands and regrets that a further airbag replacement is an inconvenience, however this interim action has been necessary to ensure safety.

You can check the status of your specific Lexus vehicle by searching for your vehicle and VIN number here. 

We have sufficient parts to complete all passenger’s side front airbag replacements for the compulsory Takata airbag compulsory recalls.

Most Takata airbag repairs take between four and six hours. However, depending upon the Dealer’s work schedule, it may be necessary to make a vehicle available for a longer period of time. All Takata airbag repairs are completed free of charge to the vehicle owner.

Under certain special circumstances (for example, if there is an affected vehicle in a remote location or to assist customers who are elderly, infirm or disabled), loan vehicle or special repair arrangements will be made available upon request. In addition, in all cases, a loan vehicle or alternate transportation arrangements will be made available upon request if a vehicle is required to be left at a dealership for more than 24 hours to replace the airbag.

Lexus has been notifying, and responding to, owners of affected Lexus vehicles in a number of ways (including by mail, phone, SMS and email, and has also commenced face to face visits in some areas).

Lexus urges owners to take the following action:

• If the vehicle is fitted with an ‘alpha’ type Takata affected airbag: to immediately stop driving the vehicle and call a Lexus Dealer to organise towing (free of charge) to have the airbag inflator replaced.
• If the vehicle is fitted with a ‘beta’ type Takata affected airbag: to urgently contact their closest/preferred Lexus Dealer to arrange repair.

Please take note that any replacement airbag installed in your vehicle following a collision or other incident may also be faulty and require replacement. It is critical that you urgently contact your closest/preferred Lexus Dealer to arrange for the airbag to be checked and replaced, if faulty.

The following resources are available for Lexus customers:

• Lexus owners can check the status of their vehicle using the VIN checker.
• Lexus owners can use the Find a Dealer search to find their closest/preferred Lexus Dealer.
• Lexus Customer Assistance Centre: 1800 023 009 (Monday - Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm AEST), including access to translation services.
• Translation services are also available via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National). 
• The National Relay Service is available to assist customers who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment.

To report or discuss concerns regarding the Takata recalls, please contact the Lexus Customer Assistance Centre (Monday - Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm AEST) at 1800 023 009 or the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Please let us know if your contact details have changed, or if your car has been sold, written off or stolen, so that we are able to easily get in contact with you or the new owner. We need to contact and find all vehicle owners with affected Takata airbags as soon as possible and we need your help to keep others safe.

To update your contact details, please call our Lexus Customer Assistance Centre (Monday - Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm AEST) on 1800 023 009 or click here.