Don't Die Wondering: New Takata website launched
Checking if you’re in danger from exploding airbags now made simpler than everA multi-million advertising campaign and a new website have been launched by the local auto industry as the mandatory recall of deadly Takata airbags continues.
‘Don’t Die Wondering’ is the name of the campaign, which points car owners to the new IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au website, where they can check if their vehicle is affected simply by typing in its registration number.
One person has died in Australia and 24 globally as a result of the faulty Takata airbag inflators, which have injured another 266 people.
The most critical target of the recall and the campaign are 19,500 ‘Alpha’ airbags still on Australian roads.
These have up to a 50 per cent chance of their inflators rupturing in an accident and spraying metals shards into the faces and upper bodies of passengers.
Alpha airbag inflators were installed in certain BMW, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota models sold between 2001 and 2004. These vehicles should not be driven and owners should contact the manufacturer immediately.
All-up, 1.6 million vehicles from 23 brands need to have their Takata airbag inflators replaced by the time the recall is completed in December 2020. About 1.4 million cars have already been fixed free of charge in Australia.
But globally the total of affected vehicles is 100 million, making this the largest recall in automotive history.
FAQ: Answers to your Takata airbag recall questions
The website and advertising campaign were agreed to by the auto industry and developed by its umbrella body, the FCAI, after the mandatory recall was announced by the federal government in February.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recommended the mandatory recall and criticised the auto industry for not being pro-active enough recalling the Takata airbags voluntarily.
But the car industry defends itself, claiming that some owners simply refuse to bring their vehicles in.
Honda, which has been fixing Takata airbags since 2009, says it has contacted some owners as many as eight times without success.
“We welcome the addition of industry’s new web tool as an easy way for consumers to check if their vehicles are affected,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said.
“The safety of drivers and their loved ones is at the heart of the recall and we welcome industry’s efforts to improve consumer awareness,”
Prior to the launch of the new portal, vehicle owners had to go through the more complex process of locating the VIN (vehicle identification number) and entering the 17-digit code into a manufacturer’s recall website.
The mandatory recall is being prioritised to deal with airbags in hot and humid areas where they deteriorate faster.
A global shortage of Takata airbag inflators is hampering the process and has forced the installation of faulty replacements by some brands. These inflators will in turn have to be replaced within six years.
The process of the recall has also been staggered to manage the workload for the dealerships of the affected brands.
A comprehensive Takata wrap-up including the planned recall schedule can be found on the ACCC website.
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