Urgent call for last Takata airbags to be fixed

Australians are being urged to check whether their car might be fitted with a deadly Takata airbag as the latest figures reveal that more than 90,000 affected vehicles are still on our roads.

Subject to a mandatory recall (and free airbag replacement) that is due to expire on December 31, these last remaining vehicles will be the most difficult to track down and authorities are particularly concerned about a “disproportionate number” being among communities which are culturally and  linguistically diverse.

The vast majority of affected vehicles are still in the capital cities, including Melbourne (21,145), Sydney (17,550), Brisbane (8032), Perth (6189), Adelaide (3234) and Canberra (1827).

Worryingly, there are also many thousands more in regional and remote areas, with the highest numbers outside the capitals in New South Wales (8647), Queensland (7880), Victoria (5117) and Tasmania (1102).

Handing down its latest quarterly update today, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said more than 3.7 million affected airbags had been replaced in more than 2.71 million vehicles across the nation – but this still leaves more than 107,000 potentially lethal airbags in 90,000-plus cars (down from 155,000 in July).

That’s a vehicle completion rate of 88.6 per cent – and a troublesome 11.4 per cent still to be traced and fixed.

What’s more, some 6200 of these vehicles are deemed most at risk of injuring or killing their occupants, due to the fitment of airbags deemed ‘critical’ (both alpha and non-alpha types).

“These airbags are very dangerous and have the potential to explode with too much force, even in minor accidents, sending sharp metal fragments into the vehicle at high speed, potentially killing or seriously injuring its occupants,” said ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard.

“Vehicles which contain a ‘critical’ airbag should not be driven at all. Contact the manufacturer to arrange for it to be towed or a technician to be sent to you so the airbag can be replaced.”

Ms Rickard added: “We are concerned about the disproportionate number of outstanding airbags in some communities, including those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, where there has been less take-up of the free replacement service.

“Manufacturers have found it difficult to reach owners in these communities who may not have been as responsive to the warnings and notices sent to them, calls, text messages or in the case of critical vehicles, in-person visits, urging them to get their airbags replaced.”

Owners can check if their airbag is affected by entering their number plate and state or territory at ismyairbagsafe.com.au, or by texting ‘TAKATA’ to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224).

Dealerships will continue to replace airbags after the December 31 deadline expires, but the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which represents the car-makers, says it will be a matter for government to take further action such as forcibly deregistering affected vehicles.

This has already occurred with vehicles fitted with alpha-type airbags, but industry is pushing to have this extended to all remaining vehicles.

“It is important that we all help spread the word. Talk to your friends and family about the recall and offer to help them check their car,” Ms Rickard said.

“It takes less than a minute and together by getting the airbag replaced, we can help reduce the number of dangerous airbags in cars on our roads.

“Anyone whose car is subject to the recall should not delay and contact a dealership to book their car in urgently for a free airbag replacement.

“A number of state and territory registration authorities are also imposing registration sanctions in relation to vehicles affected by the compulsory recall.

“If you don’t act now, registration of your vehicle could be at risk,” she said.

The vital stats (as at September 30, 2020):

• In total, 3.7 million (89.9%) airbags have been replaced in 2.71 million (88.6%) vehicles.

• This does not include 306,909 (7.5%) airbags in 258,518 (8.4%) vehicles that manufacturers have deemed as written-off, unregistered for more than two consecutive years, stolen or modified, or where the owner was unable to be contacted or did not respond to recall notifications.

• There are 107,329 (2.6%) airbags remaining for replacement in 90,898 (3%) vehicles.

• There are 5654 vehicles containing critical non-alpha airbags, and 552 vehicles containing alpha airbags.

• Since the recall began, around 60,000 airbags have been replaced on average each month.