CAR manufacturers have warned there are thousands of vehicle owners Australia wide who should stop driving their vehicles immediately because of the high risk faulty Takata airbags.
Vehicle owners and their passengers are being unnecessarily exposed to the risk of death or serious injury because the vehicles have not had faulty airbags replaced.
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive, Tony Weber, said there were 7,926 airbags across Australia of the critical Alpha and critical non-Alpha type. Of that disturbing total, Victoria is the worst offender, with 2,716 critical.
“These are the worst of the worst. They have been declared critical for a very important reason – they are high-risk and can kill vehicle drivers and occupants,” Mr Weber said.
“Any vehicle with critical Alpha or critical non-Alpha type airbags should not be driven at all.”
Mr Weber said it was alarming so many owners of vehicles representing such a significant public safety risk had not arranged to have the faulty airbags replaced. They also risked cancellation of their vehicle registrations.
Car manufacturers will arrange to promptly collect any of these vehicles and replace the faulty airbags free of charge.
The high-risk airbags are among nearly 217,590 faulty airbags across Australia that still need to be replaced as part of an ACCC-mandated compulsory recall. NSW is the worst State, with 70,000 outstanding airbag replacements pending.
“We need to urgently get the outstanding vehicles into dealership workshops,” Mr Weber said.
On a national basis, the industry has rectified 2.64 million vehicles with 3.61 million faulty Takata airbags.
Vehicle owners should promptly check the recall status of their vehicles by using the automotive industry’s Takata airbag recall website www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au and by taking action to arrange for the free rectification of any affected vehicles.
“It’s really a very simple check. Just go to the website and enter your vehicle’s registration number and state or territory. You can also check by texting TAKATA to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224),” Mr Weber said.
Make sure you get your vehicle inspected!
