ACT drivers who haven’t replaced dangerous Takata airbags in their vehicles can expect to have their car registration suspended or cancelled from next month.
Minister for Consumer Affairs, Shane Rattenbury said that since the compulsory Takata airbag recall was announced in 2018, over 71,000 of the dangerous airbags had been replaced in the ACT.
“However, more than 1,200 vehicles with dangerous airbags remain in the ACT, including 354 of the most critical types,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“These vehicle owners have received repeated notifications and warnings from vehicle manufacturers and Access Canberra,” he said.
“If they do not take action, the Government will have to take these cars off the road for the safety of the community.”
Mr Rattenbury said that from 6 April, Access Canberra would begin the process of suspending and cancelling the registrations of the 354 vehicles with the Alpha and critical non-alpha type Takata airbags.
He said owners of the most critical type of airbags had already received two warnings from the Territory this year which flagged the upcoming suspension or cancellation of car registrations.
“The risk of harm is very real,” he said.
“There have been more than 330 injuries and 30 deaths worldwide, including one death and three injuries in Australia because of these airbags.”
Mr Rattenbury said owners of the Beta airbags had also received alert notices to take action and replace their airbags.
He said Takata airbag replacement was free and drivers needed to contact their manufacturer’s dealer for an airbag replacement.
Further information on the recall, including how to find out if a specific vehicle is affected, can be accessed at this PS News link.
