Nissan recalls Tiida for Takata airbags

Nissan's Thai-built Tiida is the latest model to be recalled for dodgy Takata airbags.

Like other manufacturers, Nissan has now issued recall notices for the major part of its product portfolio sold in Australia during the years from 2000 to 2010. The Tiida small car was one of the last hold-outs, but now that has been recalled also.

Tiida models affected were built between October 2006 and December 2012, Nissan Australia has advised. Subject vehicles are identified by VIN (Vehicle Identification Numbers) ranging from MNT*BAC11A0000011 to MNT*BAC11A0024281. Nissan stresses that not all vehicles in this range are necessarily subject to the recall notice.

As with other instances involving Takata airbags, the Nissan's airbag inflators can be expected to deteriorate over time – leading to the possibility of shrapnel injuring the face of a seat occupant if the airbag should deploy. Nissan will contact owners to arrange new parts to be fitted, once those parts are available.

It's unclear how long that will take, however, with delays in replacement parts potentially forcing some Australian motorists to wait up to three years for the replacement of their faulty Takata airbags, which now affect 1.2 milliom vehicles locally and more than 35 million globally.

In Australia, the Takata recall affects more than 260,000 Toyota vehicles, 420,000 Hondas, 250,000 Nissans, 125,000 Mazdas, 33,000 Subarus and 5500 Fiats and Chryslers, while 3500 BMWs and 50 Mercedes-Benz vehicles have already been fixed.

Nobody has been injured in Australia, but hundreds of drivers have been hurt overseas and more than 10 people have died due to faulty airbag inflators produced by the Japanese company.Nissan has issued a statement as follows:

"Nissan is committed to the safety, service and satisfaction of our customers and their passengers. As part of an ongoing Takata airbag inflator investigation, Nissan is conducting a voluntary Recall Campaign on certain Nissan C11 Tiida vehicles produced in Thailand between October 2006 and December 2012 to replace and investigate the driver airbag module at no cost to the customer.

"Once parts availability is confirmed, owners of vehicles within the affected VIN range will be advised to contact their Nissan Dealer to arrange for replacement of the front driver airbag inflator. The total number of Nissan C11 Tiida vehicles in Australia currently affected by this specific airbag inflator-related safety recall is 41,154.

"Anyone who has further questions about these recall actions can call Nissan Australia on 1800 988 334 or go to www.nissan.com.au/ownerfirst."

Vehicles subject to recall for the Takata airbags are now as follows:

BMW 3 Series 1998-2005
Chrysler 300C 2005-2010
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
Lexus SC430 2003-2007
Mazda6 2002-2007
Mazda B2500/2600 2002-2007
Mazda E-Series 2002-2007
Mazda T-Series 2002-2007
Mazda RX-8 2002-2007
Mercedes-Benz SL 2014
Mercedes-Benz SLK 2014
Mitsubishi CH Lancer 2003-2008
Mitsubishi CY/CZ Lancer EVO 2003-2008
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