Vehicle manufacturers have replaced 85 per cent of affected Takata airbags but the ACCC is urging people not to become complacent as the holiday period approaches.
About 3.5 million airbags have now been rectified in about 2.53 million vehicles, leaving roughly 371,000 airbags in 323,000 vehicles remaining for replacement.
“As we approach the festive season and people prepare to go on holidays, we’re urging everyone to make sure their car is safe,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
“You can check if your vehicle is affected by entering your registration details and state at . It takes less than a minute and could help prevent a serious injury or death.”
“If your vehicle is under active recall, you should act now to arrange for a free replacement, and before the busy holiday period begins.”
The ACCC is particularly concerned about 3,200 critical-alpha and 10,300 critical non-alpha vehicles remaining for airbag replacement.
The critical recall category applies to vehicles with alpha airbags and other defective Takata airbag inflators which pose a heightened safety risk of causing injury or death.
“If your vehicle has a critical airbag, you should stop driving it immediately,” Ms Rickard said.
“Suppliers should offer to tow your vehicle to the place of repair or arrange for a qualified technician to travel to you, so you do not have to drive your vehicle.”
Figures at the end of September show about 3.42 million airbags have been replaced in 2.46 million vehicles. In October, vehicle manufacturers rectified a further 72,000 airbag inflators in 67,800 vehicles.
“The recall is progressing well, with about 4,000 airbags replaced each business day, but there are still too many of these dangerous airbags on our roads,” Ms Rickard said.
“Please do not ignore or delay responding to recall notifications about the Takata airbag recall.”
More information about the Takata recall can be found on the website.
Takata fast facts:
- About 3.5 million airbag inflators (85 per cent) have now been rectified in about 2.53 million vehicles.
- There are 371,361 airbag inflators (9 per cent) in 322,753 vehicles outstanding for replacement.
- This includes around 13,500 critical vehicles identified by vehicle manufacturers as still requiring replacement as at 31 October 2019.
- This excludes 242,797 inflators (5.9 per cent) in 203,552 vehicles which suppliers have identified as written off, scrapped, stolen, or modified and unable to have the airbag replaced.
- Vehicles with critical airbags should not be driven, and drivers are entitled to have their vehicles towed to the dealership to have the airbag replaced for free.
Notes to editors:
- In October 2019, the ACCC issued an for vehicles already under recall for defective Takata airbags which were newly classified as ‘critical’.
- In November 2019, the ACCC issued an for BMW vehicles containing faulty Takata airbags, which were not captured under the compulsory recall.
