The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says that about 6,000 Toyota Corollas have been added to the existing compulsory recall for vehicles fitted with dangerous Takata PSAN airbags.
Deputy Chair of the ACCC, Delia Rickard said the recall followed an incident in Sydney in which two passengers suffered injuries, including burns and cuts, from flying metal after a PSAN passenger airbag misdeployed when a 2004 Toyota Corolla rear-ended another vehicle.
“The affected Toyota Corollas ZZE122 and ZZE123 MY 2003-2005 have now been added to the compulsory recall,” Ms Rickard said.
“These vehicles are already under voluntary recall for the driver’s side airbag. However Toyota has recently been advised by Toyota Motor Corporation Japan that the affected vehicles also contain Takata PSAN passenger airbags, which are subject to the current compulsory recall.”
She said Toyota Australia was urgently investigating to ensure all affected vehicles were now captured under the compulsory recall.
“There have been at least 29 deaths and more than 320 injuries associated with Takata PSAN airbags worldwide,” Ms Rickard said.
“In Australia, in addition to this new incident, there has been one death and one serious injury reported,” she said.
“These Takata airbags are dangerous and can explode with too much force which can send sharp metal fragments into the vehicle cabin at high speed, potentially killing or seriously injuring its occupants.”
She said as other vehicles could be added to the existing compulsory recall list from time to time and drivers should check if their vehicle was affected “even if you have checked before”.
Consumers can check if their car is affected by calling www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au, visiting the Product Safety Australia website or contacting their vehicle manufacturer to check if their vehicle is affected.
