Takata Airbag Recall Website Launched
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) is urging vehicle owners to check if their vehicles are fitted with a faulty Takata airbag inflator, via the launch of a new website www.IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au.
With 19,500 critical Takata ‘alpha’ airbag inflators still on Australian roads and 1.6 million vehicles in Australia alone needing to have their faulty Takata airbag inflators replaced by December 2020, the issue is critical and the FCAI has released a national campaign addressing this.
The campaigns powerful message “Don’t Die Wondering” is a deliberately confronting and provocative to gain the attention of all vehicle owners whose Takata airbag inflators need replacing, now or in the future. And with airbag replacement free, there’s no excuse.
FCAI Chief Executive, Mr Tony Weber has highlighted the critical need to replace ‘alpha’-type airbag inflators, which are a subset of faulty Takata airbag inflators installed in certain BMW, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota models sold between 2001 and 2004.
“Some 19,500 vehicles in Australia still need to have their alpha airbag inflators replaced as a matter of utmost urgency,” Mr Weber said. “In certain circumstances, there is a chance as high as 1-in-2 that these may rupture on deployment in a collision. These vehicles with alpha airbag inflators should not be driven and owners should immediately contact their manufacturer.
“If a faulty Takata airbag inflator ruptures, metal fragments will propel out of the airbag and into the vehicle cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death to occupants. It is vital that vehicle owners don’t underestimate the seriousness of this national recall.”
The extreme urgency attached to alpha airbag inflator replacements has resulted in attempts to contact owners multiple times – often as many as five or six times via mail and other contact methods such as SMS and phone calls.
The Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) strongly advises all car owners to check the status of their vehicles at: www.IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au
