A further 1.1 million vehicles have been added to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s mandatory Takata recall.
The ACCC has published the list which includes 10 additional manufacturer brands whose vehicles had not been announced under the voluntary recall program.
Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen, Holden and Opel, Jaguar and Land Rover, McLaren, Tesla and Citroen vehicles have been announced as requiring compulsory Takata airbag replacement before December 31, 2020.
All manufacturers are required to meet a 100% compliance and replacement record with regular reporting to the ACCC.
Audi, Holden, McLaren, Nissan, Skoda and VW have vehicles which are a priority to have their airbags replaced in high-humidity states Queensland, Northern Territory and northern Western Australia. This is due to moisture being the contributing factor to airbag inflator degradation which poses the highest risk to occupants.
The new Takata announcement featured on all national news networks last night,
including Channel 10’s The Project which highlighted a general ignorance among Australian motorists about the dangers airbags present to millions.
“The tests have shown the original issue that came up with the recall, the Alpha airbags, are failing in up to 50% of tests,” former Car Advice journalist James Ward said on the show.
“Pull over, you’ve had enough time now, it’s been well broadcast – stop driving the car and contact the manufacturer.”
Ward suggested state police vehicle registration recognition should have the ability to detect VIN numbers and warn motorists to have their recall performed.
The additional 1.1 million vehicles includes, but is not limited to, VW Golf (2006-2016) and Polo (2007-2015), Tesla Model S (2014-2016), all Skoda models (2013-2018), Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper and Vito crew cab vans (2006-2017 and 2006-2014 respectively), plus various Mercedes A, C, E, R classes and SLS sports cars (2005-2017 on various models), Jaguar XE, XF, F-Pace (from 2009-2017) as well as 2017 Land Rover Discovery (incl. Sport 2015-16) and Range Rovers 2007-2012.
Holden has also added Astra, Barina, Cascada, Cruze and Trax, plus Opel Astra, Cascada and Zafira. Commodore, Colorado and Trailblazer remain safe.
Ford has added generation three and four Mondeo from 2007-2009 and 2014-2017 respectively.
Ferrari Australasia has added more detail and models to its recalled models, including California T, F12, 458 Italia, Spider and Speciale, 488 GTB and Spider, and GTC4 Lusso – all built/sold from 2013-2018 respectively.
Citroen and distributor Inchcape have added C3, C4 and DS3, 4 and 5 from as early as 2009 to as late as 2016.
Plus Audi of almost every variant has been added; A3, A4, A5, A6, Q5, TT and R8, from as early as 2009 to 2017 for certain models.
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