Recalled Takata airbag replacements still faulty, says Choice

Faulty Takata airbags linked with at least 18 fatalities globally, including the death of a Sydney man earlier this month, are being replaced by identical, defective airbags, according to a report by Choice.

A three-month investigation by the consumer group found more than two-thirds of the 2.3 million cars recalled in Australia have not had their airbags replaced.

According to Choice, a number of manufacturers including BMW, Lexus, Mazda, Subaru and Toyota, have resorted to replacing the airbags with identical devices as a temporary fix, amid revelations that consumers are being made to wait six months to remove the potentially lethal safety devices.

“In some cases, defective Takata airbags are being replaced with the same defective Takata airbags,” Choice says. “Manufacturers are installing new iterations of the recalled airbags as a temporary fix, after investigations revealed the fault develops over time. Takata claims it can take 12.5 years; the NHTSA estimates six years.

“Event zero – that is, the first airbag on record to rupture – occurred after 2.5 years. How long it takes for an airbag to rupture appears to fluctuate according to the geography, the moisture in the air and the overall heat.”

According to Choice, BMW, Toyota, Lexus, Mazda and Subaru are among the brands to fit re-called vehicles with like-for-like replacements that will require those vehicles to be recalled again.

Mitsubishi and Nissan did not respond to Choice, while Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep confirmed they did not install like-for-like replacements.

"Refitting vehicles with the same dangerous airbags still leaves people driving ticking time-bombs," Choice spokesperson Tom Godfrey said.

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development is overseeing the Australian recall and says it is satisfied with the current actions of manufacturers.

"The Department is satisfied that the action being taken by manufacturers to replace airbags addresses the current identified risk," a statement from the Department said.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says it has launched a fresh investigation into the recall process.

Takata has pledged to recall and replace tens of millions of faulty airbags, despite recently filing for bankruptcy.

Ordinarily, ammonium nitrate creates a small explosion that inflates air bags in a crash. But when exposed to high temperatures or humidity, the compound deteriorates and can burn too fast when ignited, causing the metal canister housing the compound to blow apart as a result.

More than 180 injuries have been recorded worldwide, prompting the recall of 100 million vehicles globally. In the US, one in four cars are affected.