The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says nearly 200,000 vehicles fitted with potentially deadly airbags could still be at loose on the country’s roads.
“More than 8,000 of these are considered so dangerous they should not be driven at all,” the ACCC said.
Deputy Chair of the ACCC, Delia Rickard said the restrictions placed by the COVID-19 pandemic meant it was a good time for drivers to see if their vehicles contained the deadly Takata airbags, which are the subject of a compulsory recall.
“In addition, a significant number of vehicles fitted with a different type of faulty Takata airbag are yet to be remedied,” Ms Rickard said.
“These vehicles, which are fitted with Takata NADI airbags, are considered so dangerous that manufacturers are offering to buy back the vehicles or to provide a loan vehicle until replacement parts are available.”
She said the ACCC was aware of two deaths and two injuries in Australia resulting from mis-deployments of Takata NADI airbags.
“Even during this pandemic, replacing faulty airbags is an essential and potentially life-saving task, especially as vehicles may be being used by essential workers and care-givers,” Ms Rickard said.
“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. 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.”
She said drivers should check online or with their dealer or manufacturer whether their vehicles were subject to the compulsory recall or the voluntary recall of Takata NADI airbags, and never ignore a notice of recall from their car’s manufacturer.
Drivers can check if their vehicle is effected by entering their number plate and State or Territory at this PS News link.
