Toyota Celica, RAV4, Starlet And 1 More Recall R/2020/019: Takata Airbag Inflator May Rupture On Deployment, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 5 Oct 2020
- Launched
- 37,586
- vehicles in the UK
- 20SMD-005
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Toyota recalled Celica, RAV4, Starlet and 1 more vehicles built between 5 June 1997 and 31 August 1999. The absorption of moisture into the driver,s airbag propellant could lead to slow deployment or inflator rupture. The dealer will replace the airbag inflator or the airbag assembly. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The absorption of moisture into the driver,s airbag propellant could lead to slow deployment or inflator rupture.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATOR MAY RUPTURE ON DEPLOYMENT Defect: The absorption of moisture into the driver�s airbag propellant could lead to slow deployment or inflator rupture Remedy: Replace the airbag inflator or the airbag assembly. Toyota is still preparing for the development and production of the remedy parts
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could lead to slow deployment or inflator rupture.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the airbag inflator or the airbag assembly.
Are You Affected?
Celica, RAV4, Starlet and 1 more built between 5 June 1997 and 31 August 1999 may be included. Toyota estimates 37,586 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Toyota, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Toyota.
- Book with any franchised Toyota dealer, quoting the campaign code 20SMD-005 or the DVSA reference R/2020/019. See how to get a Toyota recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BZ4X, C-HR, Highlander, Landcruiser and 3 moreParking Assist ECU reprogram on multiple models | Low | R/2025/466 | |
| C-HR, C-HR Plug IN, Corolla, Corolla Cross and 6 moreCombination meter reprogramming on multiple models | Low | R/2025/270 | |
| Aygo, BZ4X, C-HR, Corolla and 6 moreOn affected vehicles there is a possibility that the DCM may not complete the shutdown process within a specific period of time when the ignition is turned off causing the DCM to not restart at the next ignition cycle and making the e-Call function unavailable. As a result the vehicles do not comply with relevant regulations | Urgent | R/2023/279 | |
| Yaris, Yaris CrossAffected vehicles have wheel nuts on the right-side front and rear wheels may not have been torqued correctly due to improper tightening of the nuts when installing the wheels at the vehicle assembly plant | Book soon | R/2023/217 | |
| RAV4The force-limiter in the seat belt retractor may not operate as designed | Urgent | R/2022/326 |
This is one of 250 Toyota recalls in DVSA’s data. The Toyota recall launched before it was R/2020/142 on 3 Aug 2020, for the front lower suspension arms may have cracks on some portions of its surface. The one launched after it was R/2020/318 on 5 Oct 2020, for the low pressure fuel pump located in the fuel tank could become inoperative. You can also see every Toyota recall, the Toyota RAV4 recall history, all recalls launched in 2020 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2020/019, launched 5 October 2020. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.