More airbag recalls for Mazda, Mitsubishi

Mazda and Mitsubishi have both announced further recall programmes affecting well over 200,000 vehicles sold in Australia, for the replacement of faulty Takata airbags. That's believed to take the total number of vehicles in Australia affected by the scandal to 1.2 million or more.

Vehicles supplied by Mazda to be recalled include the Mazda2 built between 2007 and 2014, plus the RX-8 from 2003 to 2012. On the commercial side of the fence, both the BT-50 from 2006 to 2011 and the B Series built in 2006 are also subject to recall for replacement of the airbags.

According to Mazda, the recalls apply to 105,966 units of the Mazda2, 6398 units of the RX-8, 49,207 units of the BT-50 and 513 units of the B Series. The importer believes actual numbers of vehicles returning to the dealerships for rectification will be lower, due to age and natural attrition.

Mitsubishi is contacting owners of 57,025 Tritons (ML and MN models) sold between 2007 and 2014 for the driver's airbag to be replaced.

As mentioned yesterday, Takata airbags are subject to a production defect that allows moisture to penetrate and corrode the inflator, creating potential for shards of metal to explode outwards into the face of a seat occupant during a deployment.

The Takata scandal saw manufacturing flaws go unchecked prior to shipment to original equipment manufacturers. Vehicles sold in Australia and recalled for Takata airbags to date are as follows:

BMW 3 Series 1998-2005
Chrysler 300C 2005-2012
Chrysler Grand Voyager 2008-2010
Dodge Journey 2009-2010
Dodge RAM 2004-2010
Ferrari 458 Italia
Ferrari 458 Spider
Ferrari 458 Speciale/Speciale A
Ferrari California T
Ferrari FF
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
Honda Accord 2001-2006
Honda Accord Euro 2004-2007
Honda City 2009-2012
Honda Civic 2004-2011
Honda CR-V 2002-2008
Honda CR-V 2007-2011
Honda Insight 2010-12
Honda Jazz 2004-2009
Honda Jazz 2006-2012
Honda Jazz 2012-2014
Honda Jazz Hybrid 2012
Honda Legend 2007-2012
Honda MDX 2003-2006
Jeep Cherokee manual 2006
Jeep Wrangler manual 2006
Jeep Wrangler 2007-2012
Lexus IS 2005-11
Lexus SC430 2003-2007
Mazda2 2007-2014
Mazda6 2002-2007
Mazda B2500/2600 2002-2007
Mazda B Series 2006
Mazda BT-50 2006-2011
Mazda E-Series 2002-2007
Mazda T-Series 2002-2007
Mazda RX-8 2002-2007
Mazda RX-8 2003-2012
Mercedes-Benz SL 2014
Mercedes-Benz SLK 2014
Mitsubishi CH Lancer 2003-2008
Mitsubishi CY/CZ Lancer EVO 2003-2008
Mitsubishi ML and MN Triton 2007-2014
Nissan Maxima 2001-2007
Nissan Maxima (J31) 2007-2008
Nissan Micra 2010-2011
Nissan Navara 2001-2007
Nissan Navara (D22) 2007-2008
Nissan Navara (D40) 2008-2014
Nissan Patrol 2001-2007
Nissan Patrol (Y61) 2007-2008
Nissan Pulsar 2001-2007
Nissan Tiida (C11) 2006-2012
Nissan X-TRAIL 2001-2007
Nissan X-TRAIL (T30) 2007-2008
Subaru Impreza 2004-2007
Toyota Avensis 2003-2009
Toyota Corolla 2003-2007
Toyota Echo 2003-2005
Toyota RAV4 2003-2005
Toyota Yaris 2005-2009