AFTER MONTHS OF HEAVY PR regarding the need for Australian motorists to contact their dealers and have faulty Takata airbags replaced, it seems many are still at risk.
Victoria’s automotive association, the RACV, has called on the Federal Government to bring pressure to bear on car manufacturers to accelerate the process.
The recall affects 2.7 million Australian motorists, with around 115,000 cars fitted with the most dangerous airbags, the so-called “alpha” airbags. These have been earmarked as the highest priority, with the remaining 2.6 million cars taking second place. At the time of writing, 19,500 cars with the potentially deadly alpha airbags remain on Australian roads.
Unfortunately, replacement airbags are in short supply. Replacements are being made as parts become available but for many motorists, this could be as far away as December 2020.
Cars fitted with non-alpha airbags (about 1.58 million) are not such a high risk and manufacturers have assured motorists that these cars are safe to drive until replacement parts become available. However, the risk increases substantially once the car is more than six years old.
According to the staggered recall, Honda, Toyota, Subaru and Lexus drivers face the longest wait, with parts expected to become available by December 2019.
After December 31, 2020, the ACCC can impose penalties on manufacturers who have failed to comply with the recall.
An ACCC spokeswoman said consumers can check the websites www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au and www.productsafety.gov.au, or text ‘TAKATA’ to 0487 247 224 for more information.
“The vast majority of Takata airbags currently in cars don’t present a significant risk,” she said.
“However, there are still around 12,000 airbags known as ‘alpha’ airbags, which are a higher-risk subset of the Takata airbags being recalled and require immediate replacement.
“The higher risk ‘alpha’ airbags were installed in certain Honda, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Mazda and Lexus cars, with models sold between 2001 and 2004.
“These cars should not be driven at all until their airbag has been replaced … consumers should contact their car’s manufacturer immediately.”
The ACCC said consumers have the right to request a loan car or alternative transport arrangements if they need to leave their car with the supplier for more than 24 hours to have the airbag replaced, and can request a tow if their car has an alpha airbag and they don’t want to risk driving it to the dealership.