Govt proposes ‘mandatory’ Takata recall

The Federal Government is considering introducing a mandatory recall program over deadly Takata airbags that have already killed one Australian motorist and seriously injured another.

As the tally of cars affected by the scandal climbs to 3.3 million in Australia, authorities have revealed that only one in three have been through the voluntary recall process. Globally, at least 19 people have been killed by the fault, which occurs when a metal canister inside the airbag deflator explodes, rupturing and spraying shrapnel through the cabin.

Now, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has advised the government that it should step up the process. A compulsory safety recall would be the first of its kind in Australia, it is understood.

"For us to advise the minister to go down the mandatory recall route, we have to be satisfied that there is more that could be done," ACCC chair Rod Sims said.

A joint statement by minister for urban infrastructure, Paul Fletcher, and minister for small business, Michael McCormack, said the government “is taking further action to ensure the safety of Australian consumers and safety on our roads”.

Car companies have secretly described the compulsory recall campaign as “scare mongering”, and insist a dearth of replacement airbags and unfussed owners have also contributed to recall delays. It is understood Australian car distributors were issued with documentation noting the latest developments hours after the ACCC made the issue public yesterday.

Authorities will meet with car companies on October 9 to discuss whether to proceed with the mandatory recalls.