Takata airbag recall

Faulty Takata airbags are subject to a nationwide compulsory recall.

The risk is that the airbag’s inflator can explode causing serious injury or death to the driver and passengers if deployed during a crash.

20,000 of the vehicles affected by the recall are classified as critical and the ACCC is urging customers not to drive these cars at all until the airbag has been replaced. Under this urgent recall, drivers are entitled to have their vehicles towed to the dealership by the manufacturer and have the airbag replaced. Drivers may also be entitled to a loan vehicle while the airbag is replaced.

The remaining non-critical airbags are being replaced as part of a staged recall. Manufacturers will contact affected non-critical vehicle owners progressively between now and December 2020.

So, if your vehicle is fitted with a faulty Takata airbag, you must contact your vehicle manufacturer to organise a replacement airbag, free of charge.

Failure to replace airbags

Failure to replace an airbag may result in registration being suspended. Vehicle owners who have not replaced their faulty airbag will be sent a warning letter, followed by a notification of intention to suspend registration 28 days later. If the faulty airbag has still not been replaced after another 28 days, a final letter will be sent to advise the vehicle’s registration has been suspended.

Check if your vehicle is affected by visiting ismyairbagsafe.com.au and entering your number plate details. If you are affected, contact your manufacturer immediately to find out if your airbag is critical and organise a replacement.