Front Driver Side Air Bag Inflator problems of the 2003 Toyota Matrix

2003 Toyota Matrix. Consumer writes in regards to the airbag inflator recall notice issues. The consumer was informed the parts were not available.

There has been a recall on the front passenger airbag inflator module. Despite several notices and a federal reminder to have this fixed as a customer, Toyota as a company has no remedy as of yet. All paperwork states "any authorized Toyota dealer can inspect and, if necessary, replace the airbag inflator module. . . Please contact any authorized Toyota dealer dealer to schedule an appointment to have the remedy performed as soon as possible. " after making this appointment and leaving my car overnight, I was told there was no remedy available. After calling Toyota, they said that at this time the only solution is to not allow a passenger to ride in your car. This defeats the purpose of a car. If you have notated an issue and want to alert the public and have us all take time off to have the issues fixed, then why wasn't there a "fix" in place. It seems as though they can replace the entire airbag inflator module to fix the problem, but they are not wanting to take on that cost, which puts me and my family/friends in danger. This is ultimately frustrating, inconvenient, and dangerous. This is an extremely libelous situation.

The air bag warning light came on dash and I was told the driver side air bag had to be replaced. I had to pay $1196. 69 because it was not under a recall even though I had 3 other recalls which included the passenger air bag inflator, air bag wire harness and the center air bag sensor assembly. So with all the safety recalls on the passenger side air bag system, I do not understand why the driver air bag is not covered on any safety recall? I really think this should be covered under a safety recall since I was told by the rep at the Toyota dealer the air bag will not work when this air bag warning light is on.

I want you to be aware of this email below I just sent to Toyota with a safety complainant. "hello customer service rep, I am contacting you regarding the air system on my Matrix and I had many recalls/ repairs during the last few years first replacing the air harness in March of 2013. Then replacing the passenger air bag inflator in August 2014 and then replacing the driver side bag in early October 2014. Last replacing the center airbag senor assembly in mid October 2014. All these items were covered under safety recalls except the driver side airbag which cost me $1196. 69 which I was told it had to be replaced because it was inoperative. I think this should be covered under a safety recall and you give me a refund of $1196. 69 so could you tell me why this is not under a safety recall? thank you, woody marchionna".

I can not get a straight answer from Toyota, both my local dealer and the corporate office regarding a passenger air bag recall (front passenger airbag inflator module). It's been almost a full year, and no one can tell me when this repair will be done. The last letter I received (Feb. 3, 2015) from Toyota, said they are working on states with high humidity first. Their solution, is not to drive the vehicle and use public transportation, and rent a vehicle. This is not a solution. I live in massachusetts, and it gets pretty humid during the summer months. I think Toyota thinks the longer they wait the fewer recalls they will have to perform as the vehicles are getting older and older.