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.
“We are now in the final year of the compulsory recall, but more than a quarter of a million dangerous vehicles remain on our roads,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
“There is a risk these airbags may misdeploy, even in a minor accident, and send sharp metal fragments into the vehicle at high speed, causing serious injury or death to its occupants.”
There have been 29 deaths and over 320 serious injuries reported worldwide, including a death and serious injury in Australia.
“These faulty airbags could be deadly, and if your vehicle is under active recall, you should act now to arrange for a free replacement,” Ms Rickard said.
“We’re particularly concerned by the number of vehicles with a critical airbag remaining for airbag replacement.”
“If your vehicle is listed as critical, please do not drive it. Contact your dealer to arrange for your vehicle to be towed to the place of repair so you do not have to drive it,” Ms Rickard said.
The critical recall category applies to vehicles with alpha airbags and other defective Takata airbag inflators which pose a heightened safety risk of causing injury or death.
There are 2,611 critical-alpha vehicles and 8,585 critical non-alpha vehicles remaining for airbag replacement.
Consumers can check if their vehicle is affected by visiting ismyairbagsafe.com.au and entering their number plate and state or by texting ‘TAKATA’ to
