Thousands of deadly Takata airbags need replacement before December 31

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) latest quarterly update shows more than 90,000 vehicles with deadly Takata airbags onboard are still driving on Australian roads.

More than half of these vehicles are located in three of Australia’s largest capital cities.

New figures show more than 46,000 of the remaining cars nationally are in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, particularly in the outer suburbs.

Currently there are more than 21,145 vehicles outstanding in Greater Melbourne, more than 17,550 vehicles outstanding in Greater Sydney, and more than 8032 vehicles outstanding in Brisbane.

“These airbags are very dangerous and have the potential to explode with too much force, even in minor accidents, sending sharp metal fragments into the vehicle at high speed, potentially killing or seriously injuring its occupants,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard says.

There have been more than 330 injuries and 30 deaths reported worldwide, with one death and three injuries in Australia, including one serious injury.

Under the recall, owners are entitled to have their faulty Takata airbags replaced free of charge. Owners should check if their airbag is affected by entering their number plate and state or territory at ismyairbagsafe.com.au, or by texting ‘TAKATA’ to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224).

While more than 3.7 million affected airbags have already been replaced in 2.71 million Australian vehicles, there are still over 107,000 airbags in more than 90,000 cars remaining.

“We are concerned about the disproportionate number of outstanding airbags in some communities, including those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, where there has been less take up of the free replacement service,” Rickard says.

“Manufacturers have found it difficult to reach owners in these communities who may not have been as responsive to the warnings and notices sent to them, calls, text messages or in the case of critical vehicles, in person visits, urging them to get their airbags replaced.”

The ACCC has been working to raise awareness and educate consumers across a range of communities to check to make sure their car is not under recall.

“It is important that we all help spread the word. Anyone whose car is subject to the recall should not delay and contact a dealership to book their car in urgently for a free airbag replacement,” Rickard says.

“A number of state and territory registration authorities are also imposing registration sanctions in relation to vehicles affected by the compulsory recall. If you don’t act now, registration of your vehicle could be at risk,” Ms Rickard said.

Additionally, many areas still have multiple vehicles which contain a more dangerous, ‘critical’ type airbag on the roads. Nationally, there are more than 6,200 vehicles which contain critical (both alpha and non-alpha) airbags awaiting urgent replacement.

“Vehicles which contain a ‘critical’ airbag should not be driven at all. Contact the manufacturer to arrange for it to be towed or a technician to be sent to you so the airbag can be replaced,” Rickard says.

Consumers who are required to leave their vehicle with the manufacturer for more than 24 hours to have the airbag replaced may be entitled to a free loan car or have their transport costs covered for the period they are without their vehicle.

The ACCC says in total, 3.7 million (89.9%) airbags have been replaced in 2.71 million (88.6%) vehicles.

This does not include the 306,909 (7.5%) airbags in 258,518 (8.4%) vehicles that manufacturers have deemed as written-off, unregistered for more than two consecutive years, stolen or modified, or where the owner was unable to be contacted or did not respond to recall notifications.

There are 107,329 (2.6%) airbags remaining for replacement in 90,898 (3%) vehicles. There are 5,654 vehicles containing critical non-alpha airbags, and 552 vehicles containing alpha airbags.

Since the recall began, around 60,000 airbags have been replaced on average each month.

Vehicle manufacturers are required to ensure all cars with affected Takata airbags have their airbags replaced by 31 December 2020 or provide adequate evidence to the ACCC to satisfy deemed compliance requirements.

Deemed compliance applies to unresponsive or uncontactable consumers where supplier communication obligations have been met, cars unregistered for two years or more, or those that are written-off, exported or stolen.