(WWJ/AP) - Toyota and General Motors are telling drivers of older, select vehicles to stop driving them immediately after they discovered the air bag inflators inside are at risk of exploding and hurling shrapnel.
Both automakers said the advisory encompasses around 61,000 vehicles total, all made in the early to mid 2000s.
Toyota said the advisory affects certain Corolla compact cars and Matrix hatchbacks from the 2003 and 2004 model years, as well as the RAV4 small SUV from 2004 and 2005.
According to General Motors, about 11,000 Pontiac Vibes from 2003 and 2004 are also included, which are described as almost the same as the Matrix with both models built at the same California factory.
The automakers said most of the vehicles are in the United States.
Drivers are being advised against driving the affected vehicles, with the automakers stating owners shouldn't even drive them into the shop for repairs.
Owners should contact their local dealers, who will provide options to get the vehicle safely repaired, including mobile services, towing the car to the shop or vehicle pickup and delivery.