Recall 16V127 covers 147,242 2008-2010 Lexus Sc, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, and Vibe vehicles for passenger air bag inflators. Free repair at franchised Lexus dealers.
Lexus is recalling 147,242 2008-2010 Sc, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, and Vibe vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture during deployment. In a crash where the air bag deploys, metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Lexus dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module on covered 2008-2010 Lexus Sc, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, and Vibe vehicles. In a crash, the inflator is supposed to build pressure in a controlled way so the air bag fills in front of the passenger. The recall also covers certain replacement passenger air bags installed as service parts after a prior repair or crash.
The defect is inside that passenger-side inflator. During air bag deployment, it can produce excessive internal pressure instead of staying within the designed range. That pressure can rupture the inflator housing, sending metal fragments into the cabin as the air bag deploys.
There is no warning sign before failure. The inflator sits unused until a crash triggers the passenger frontal air bag, so an owner will not feel a change in braking, steering, or normal driving before the defect shows up.
Who's affected?
Spans four model lines across 2008-2010, all involving the passenger-side front air bag inflator.
| 2010 Lexus Sc | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix | front air bag |
| 2009 Lexus Sc | front air bag |
| 2008 Lexus Sc | front air bag |
| 2008 Toyota Corolla | front air bag |
| 2008 Pontiac Vibe | front air bag |
| Units affected | 147,242 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into occupants, causing serious injury or death. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Lexus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2010 Lexus Sc, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, or Vibe is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Lexus dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag inflator or air bag assembly replacement that addresses inflator rupture during air bag deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if you have one. If not, reference recall number 16V127 when you call.
- Ask Lexus customer service at 1-800-331-4331 if the dealer needs to confirm which air bag repair applies to your vehicle.
- Limit front passenger use until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lexus technician replaces either the front passenger air bag inflator or the full front passenger air bag assembly, depending on the model. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you've already paid to fix this air bag condition before the recall repair, the reimbursement plans cover documented expenses. Bring receipts or repair paperwork to the service desk, or use the customer service path listed in the owner letter to request reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 1, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 3, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| March 15, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 25, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V127?
Recall 16V127 covers 147,242 2008-2010 Lexus Sc, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, and Vibe vehicles with a passenger frontal air bag inflator defect. In a crash, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin. Dealers replace the affected inflator or air bag assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2010 Lexus Sc, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, or Vibe is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V127. If it is, contact a franchised Lexus dealer and ask for the passenger frontal air bag recall repair. Reference recall number 16V127 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. For recall 16V127, the dealer will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the full front passenger air bag assembly, depending on the model, free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V127?
The safety risk is serious injury or death from metal fragments during air bag deployment. If the passenger frontal air bag deploys in a crash, excessive internal pressure can rupture the inflator and send fragments toward vehicle occupants.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised Lexus dealer and reference recall number 16V127.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V127000 |
|---|---|
| Lexus customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V127 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V127000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →