If you are concerned that this recall may effect you, please check here for additional information.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is urgently seeking information from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (DIRD) and car manufacturers regarding Takata airbags at the centre of the largest vehicle recall in history.
Since 2009, more than 2.3 million vehicles in Australia have become subject to the recall of airbags made by Japanese manufacturer, Takata. The airbags are in 60 makes of cars sold in Australia, including Honda, Toyota, BMW, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Lexus, Jeep, Nissan, Chrysler, and Dodge.
The ACCC is urging all drivers to check if their car’s airbag is has been recalled by visiting productsafety.gov.au.
“Do not ignore or delay responding to a letter from your car’s manufacturer or retailer asking you to have your car’s airbag replaced. The airbags degrade over time and can become lethal by misdeploying and firing metal shards at the car’s occupants,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
A man in NSW was tragically killed on 13th July when his airbag misdeployed, and a woman in the Northern Territory suffered severe injuries from her airbag after a crash in April.
In Australia, 850,000 cars have already had their airbags replaced. Further vehicles will be added to the recall over time.
The ACCC says due to the availability of stock worldwide, retrofitting issues and the availability of authorised technicians able to fit airbags, progress on the recall was initially slow but is improving over time as stock becomes available. Car manufacturers say there is now sufficient stock available for affected cars to be fixed.
Some cars have already had their airbag replaced with one treated with a water-absorbing chemical designed to address the problem, but these may also degrade over time. This means some cars subject to the recall may need have to have their airbags replaced again in around six years’ time.
“Car manufacturers and retailers must let consumers know when they are having their car’s airbag replaced what type of airbag it is being replaced with, and if it is likely to be the subject of another recall down the track,” Mr Sims said.
The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development is responsible for motor vehicle safety standards and is monitoring the recall.
“We’re seeking information from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development as to exactly what information it is requiring car manufacturers and retailers to give consumers about their car’s airbag, including the likelihood of the airbag being replaced again,” Mr Sims said.
“We would have very serious concerns if manufacturers were found to be misleading consumers about their car’s safety in breach of their obligations under consumer law.”
“Our advice to consumers is not to panic, but to visit the Product Safety Australia website to see if their car is affected by the recall and if it is, to contact their car’s manufacturer immediately.”
“If consumers have already had their airbag replaced, they should contact their manufacturer for advice as to what kind of airbag it was replaced with and how long it is expected to last,” Mr Sims said.
The ACCC says it will closely examine the current recall strategies employed by DIRD to ensure each manufacturer is complying with its obligations under the Australian Consumer Law.
