The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) informed the public of the latest special service campaign which Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMPC) has recently issued.

The said special service campaign is specifically for the Airbag Inflator Module of certain Lexus models.

In a letter to Trade Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Group Teodoro C. Pascua on January 12, TMPC’s First Vice President for Government and Industry Affairs of its Corporate Affairs Group Lawyer Rommel Gutierrez noted the affected vehicles. These are the Lexus IS Convertible produced from February 14, 2017 (pls validate) until March 16, 2012; Lexus IS350/250 produced from January 12, 2012 to November 22, 2012; Lexus ES350 produced from January 17, 2012 until March 24, 2012; Lexus GX460 produced from January 16, 2012 until December 2012; and Lexus LFA produced on August 20, 2011.

He further revealed that the special service campaign covers 12 units of Lexus IS Convertible, two units of Lexus IS350/250, nine units of Lexus ES350, 22 units of Lexus GX460 and one unit of Lexus LFA which were officially sold in the Philippines.

Gutierrez explained that the propellant of the airbag inflator module may degrade after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures and high temperature cycling. This means that there is a possibility that the inflator would rupture when the airbag deploys, in the event of a crash. An inflator rupture may cause metal fragments to pass through the air bag and into the vehicle interior at high speed, which may result injuries to the occupants.

“As a preventive measure, we will replace the Airbag Inflator Module with a new one, at no cost to our customers,” Gutierrez said.

TMPC has committed to contact the affected customers through notification letters and invite them to bring their vehicles to authorized Toyota dealers for vehicle servicing.

Meanwhile, DTI-Davao Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said Dabawenyos who bought the identified vehicles may also contact the nearest DTI office.

In Davao City, the may contact the agency at telephone number (082) 224-0511 local 417 for clarifications or some other concerns relative to this advisory.