Australia’s largest ever recall is nearly two thirds progressed with 2.8 million faulty Takata airbags replaced with around 1 million still outstanding.

More than 70 per cent of all affected airbag inflators have been replaced nationally since the Federal Government put manufacturers on notice in February last year.

“Despite good progress, both motorists and car manufacturers shouldn’t become complacent,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.

“If you receive a letter or call from your car’s manufacturer, don’t delay or ignore it.”

Vehicle manufacturers’ data shows the location of all known registered vehicles affected and number of airbag inflators replaced or outstanding for replacement as at December 31, 2018.

Vehicle manufacturers are replacing all faulty Takata airbags according to priority risk factors and are required to complete the mandatory recall by 31 December 2020. Some vehicles are under active recall for replacement now, with others on a rolling basis, scheduled for future recall based on priority factors.

High risk “alpha” airbags were fitted to about 114,000 cars with manufactures claiming there are around 7,800 still on roads, excluding those written off or irreplaceable. These airbags require urgent replacement and drivers should not drive cars containing these airbags until they have been fixed. Vehicle manufacturers must offer to arrange for these cars to be towed to the place of replacement or for a qualified technician to travel to you (or some similar arrangement) so that you do not have to drive these cars.

“The ACCC’s recall efforts are being helpfully complemented by state and territory authorities who are progressing registration sanctions for any consumers who are not replacing the dangerous alpha airbags. They are also helping us with our surveillance and enforcement initiatives to ensure suppliers are complying with the terms of the recall,” Ms Rickard added.

Key figures

For the period ending 31 December 2018:

  • Around 2.8 million faulty airbag inflators have now been replaced in about 1.9 million vehicles (excluding 262,000 inflators in 225,000 vehicles identified as unrepairable)
  • Around 1 million faulty airbag inflators in about 912,000 vehicles still require replacement
  • 7,800 high risk alpha airbags still require urgent replacement. Consumers are reminded to not ignore letters from car manufacturers and take immediate action for affected vehicles
  • Since the Federal Government announced the mandatory recall in February 2018 there are consistently around 100,000 faulty airbags being replaced every month.

To check if your car is affected visit ismyairbagsafe.com.au or the Product Safety Australia website.

Background

Unreplaceable or unrepairable are vehicles classified by manufacturers as written off, scrapped, unregistered for more than two consecutive years, exported, stolen or modified and unable to have the affected airbag inflator replaced.

More information

Takata recalls progress data

Compulsory Takata airbag recall