Australian car makers have now rectified more than 2.4 million vehicles affected by faulty Takata airbags. This leaves 373,000 vehicles still to be rectified as part of a national recall initiated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
A faulty Takata airbag can seriously injure or kill vehicle occupants.
The peak body for the automotive industry, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), is urging owners of outstanding vehicles to contact their vehicle dealer to schedule the fitment of a replacement airbag.
“The industry is making strong progress in replacing airbags,” Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI, said.
“More than 176,000 vehicles have been rectified in the latest quarter alone. However, it is critical the owners of outstanding vehicles understand the risks they face and come forward promptly.”
The ACCC has reported that 81 per cent of vehicles with faulty airbags have now been rectified. As at September 30, there had been 2,460,817 vehicles rectified. A further 200,933 vehicles were classified as unreplaceable, primarily because they had been written-off in accidents. This left 373,886 vehicles still to be rectified.
According to the ACCC, Western Australia has the highest airbag rectification rate with 91.17 per cent of faulty airbags in the state now replaced. It is followed by Queensland and South Australia. Victoria has the lowest rectification rate, with 86.86 per cent of airbags rectified.
Mr Weber said owners of vehicles fitted with Alpha airbags or airbags classified as critical faced potential deregistration of their vehicles if they did not respond to requests to have their vehicles rectified.
The automotive industry website, www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au, has played an important role in helping vehicle owners check whether their vehicles are fitted with faulty airbags. The website has been used by more than 8.9 million Australians.
“The website is very simple to use,” Mr Weber said. “Just enter your vehicle’s registration number and state or territory. You can also check by texting TAKATA to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224). It’s quick and any required rectification will not cost you a cent.”
