Recalls

Consumers urged to check solar energy storage batteries due to fire risk

The ACCC is urging consumers to urgently check if their LG, SolaX or Opal home energy solar systems are affected by dangerous LG solar energy storage batteries which are under recall, and if so to contact the manufacturer, immediately.

The batteries can overheat and catch fire, which could lead to serious injuries, death and property damage.

LG has recalled the batteries, but about 6400 of the recalled batteries have not yet been replaced, and the ACCC is concerned that these consumers may not be aware of the recall and the fire risk. 

Caravan and motorhome owners reminded to check for deadly recalled water heaters

The ACCC is urging consumers who have a dual fuel gas/electric water heater in their caravan, motor home or horse campers to check for the dangerous Suburban-branded water heaters ahead of any post-lockdown holidays.

The ACCC is concerned that more than 50 per cent of these units might emit deadly odourless carbon monoxide if used in gas mode. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause death, and short-term exposure can cause serious long-term injuries.

Caravan and motorhome owners urged to check for deadly faulty water heaters before the holidays

Consumers are urged to check their caravans and recreational vehicles (RVs) for dangerous Suburban-branded water heaters which may emit deadly carbon monoxide.

The Suburban Recreational Vehicle water heater can operate using electricity or gas, and may produce unsafe levels of carbon monoxide when gas is used to generate the heat.

Mercedes-Benz failed to initiate a recall of some vehicles with faulty Takata airbags

The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific Pty Ltd (Mercedes-Benz), after Mercedes-Benz acknowledged it had failed to initiate a recall of certain C class and E class vehicles with faulty Takata airbags, due to spare parts availability, in accordance with the timeframe required under the Takata compulsory recall.

Penalties for allegedly selling or advertising recalled cars with dangerous Takata airbags

Three corporations, Grays Ecommerce Group Limited (Grays), Berwick Motor Group Pty Ltd (BMG) and HG Innovations Pty Ltd (HG Innovations), have paid penalties totalling $63,000 after the ACCC issued infringement notices against each business for allegedly selling or advertising vehicles under active recall as part of the Takata compulsory recall of vehicles fitted with defective Takata airbags.   

More than 250,000 vehicles with defective Takata airbags remaining for replacement

About 3.56 million defective Takata airbags have now been replaced as part of the compulsory recall, but more than seven per cent remain outstanding and the ACCC is urging consumers not to ignore or delay responding to recall notices.   

Figures released today show about 3.56 million airbags in 2.59 million vehicles were rectified as at the end of December 2019, with around 300,000 airbags in 256,000 vehicles still outstanding.

Honda and Mitsubishi recall 42,000 cars due to serious airbag safety risk

Honda and Mitsubishi have commenced voluntary recalls for vehicles manufactured between 1996 and 2000 due to a serious safety concern relating to faulty airbags.

These vehicles may have been fitted with potentially deadly Takata NADI 5-AT airbags. There is a risk these airbags may misdeploy in an accident and cause metal fragments to propel out of the airbag at high speed, resulting in serious injuries or death to vehicle occupants. There is also a risk that these airbags may under-inflate. 

More progress is needed in Airbag recalls

The quarterly recall figures for Takata airbags reveal steady progress is being made in the recall but the ACCC is warning motorists not to become complacent.

As at 31 March 2019 around 2.1 million (69 per cent) of vehicles have been rectified leaving around 734,000 (24 per cent) of vehicles remaining.

Around 192,000 (seven per cent) of vehicles have been identified by manufacturers as written off, unregistered for more than two consecutive years, exported, scrapped, stolen or modified and unable to have the airbag replaced.