Toyota recalls 70,000 vehicles due to air bag that could explode

Toyota has recalled about 70,000 vehicles due to defective air bag inflators.
Toyota officials say that the defective inflators could explode and hurl shrapnel at drivers and passengers. The recall covers the 2003 to 2005 Corolla, the 2002 to 2005 Sequoia, the 2003 to 2005 Tundra and the 2002 to 2005 Lexus SC.
This is a second recall on the vehicles due to defective Takata air bags.
The company uses the chemical ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion and inflate the bags. But it can deteriorate and burn too fast, blowing apart a metal canister.
The Toyota and Lexus vehicles were recalled previously and the inflators replaced with new ones that still used ammonium nitrate. In the latest recall, Toyota will use inflators made by another company with a safer chemical.
Owners will be notified early next year. Toyota says it has replacement parts available.
More information about the recall can be found at Toyota’s website.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.