The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reminded drivers to get their vehicles checked for faulty Takata airbags, revealing that 200,000 vehicles equipped with the dangerous airbags are still on the roads.

Of these 200,000 vehicles, the ACCC has warned that 8,000 are equipped with the NADI airbag, a potentially lethal airbag that is so dangerous that manufacturers are offering to buyback affected vehicles.

The ACCC has told drivers that vehicles equipped with the NADI airbags should not be driven under any circumstance and drivers should contact their manufacturer immediately to have the airbag replaced.

With manufacturers under pressure to remove and destroy all faulty Takata airbags by the end of 2020 or risk heavy fines, dealerships are reminding customers that they are still open and available to perform airbag replacements free of charge.

“We understand dealerships are still operating and are offering the services outlined in the compulsory and voluntary recall notices. Both the ACCC and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications will be closely monitoring any changes to these arrangements,” said ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard.

According to the ACCC, 88 per cent of the estimated four million airbags affected by the compulsory Takata recall have been replaced and destroyed safely, while a further 6 per cent are reportedly installed in vehicles that have been written-off, stolen, unregistered, exported or modified and cannot be replaced.

But with more cars coming back onto the roads following the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACCC it is more important than ever that drivers take note of the recall and replace any faulty airbags now or risk a serious road incident.

“It will also be more important than ever that as more people start to use their cars again, they check that their airbags are safe,” said Rickard. “Affected Takata airbags can mis-deploy and send sharp metal fragments into the vehicle at high speed and cause serious injury or death to its occupants.”

Consumers worried that their vehicle may still be under active recall can visit IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au and enter their number plate.

Source: Autotalk | ACCC: more than 8000 vehicles should not be driven

13 May 2020