ACCC says cars are ‘particularly unsafe’ and misdeployment can cause death

This article is more than 11 months old

This article is more than 11 months old

The consumer watchdog has warned that the recall of 20,000 vehicles fitted with faulty Takata airbags is now classified as “critical”.

The vehicles from major carmakers, including BMW, Holden, Honda, Mitsubishi and Toyota, have already been recalled, but the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is warning motorists not to drive the affected cars at all until the airbags have been replaced.

Motorists can check whether their car is affected by visiting IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au or the vehicle manufacturer’s website and entering their VIN number.

“Classification as ‘critical’ means manufacturers have assessed these airbags as being particularly unsafe. A Takata airbag misdeployment can result in death or serious injury, even in a minor collision,” the ACCC deputy chair, Delia Rickard, said.

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“Under this urgent recall, drivers are entitled to have their vehicles towed to the dealership by the manufacturer and have the airbag replaced for free. Drivers may be entitled to a loan vehicle while the airbag is replaced.”

The faulty airbags, which can spray shrapnel when deployed, have been linked to 23 deaths worldwide, including one in Sydney in 2017.

Suppliers are required to replace all defective airbags by the end of 2020. Cars with the high-risk “alpha” airbags, which have a one in two chance of exploding dangerously during a crash, are the top priority.

As at 31 August 2019 around 3.36m airbags (82.4% of total airbags supplied) have now been replaced in 2.41 m vehicles (some vehicles have a driver and passenger airbag).

There remains around 483,071 airbags in 425,971 vehicles still subject to the recall.

“This recall is a rolling recall, which means that more vehicles can be added to the critical category at any time, and we’re urging consumers not to ignore recall messages from manufacturers to get their airbag replaced,” Rickard said.

These critically affected vehicles must not be driven and can be towed to the dealership by the manufacturer to have airbags replaced for free.