Leslie Massey
In 2018, the Australian government issued a compulsory recall of all vehicles fitted with faulty Takata airbags, which affected over three million vehicles. This recall was the result of several deaths and injuries associated with defective Takata airbag inflators, which could deploy with too much force and send sharp metal fragments into the vehicle, causing serious injury or death. As of 2020, there were still over 130,000 cars with faulty Takata airbags on Australian roads, with Toyota, Mazda, Suzuki, and Honda among the manufacturers recalling vehicles.
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What You'll Learn
How to check if your car is affected
If you are concerned that your car may be affected by the recall of Takata airbags, there are several steps you can take to check. Firstly, you can visit the website IsMyAirBagSafe.com.au and enter your number plate and state or territory to see if your vehicle is affected. Alternatively, you can text 'TAKATA' to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224).
If you have an unregistered vehicle, you can check its status by using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is a unique 17-character serial number that can be found on your vehicle or in documentation such as registration documents or the vehicle registration certificate issued by the vehicle registration body in your state or territory. You can then check the status of your vehicle by contacting the Australian office of the manufacturer of your vehicle.
It is important to note that the Takata airbag recall is a significant issue, with over four million affected airbag inflators and more than three million vehicle recalls in Australia alone. The recall includes vehicles produced by Ford, GM Holden (including Opel and Saab), Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, BMW, Chrysler, Ferrari, Honda, Jeep, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota.
If your vehicle is affected by the recall, you are entitled to have your faulty Takata airbags replaced free of charge. Manufacturers are required to ensure that all cars with affected airbags have their airbags replaced or provide adequate evidence of compliance to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Vehicle manufacturers such as Mazda, Suzuki, and Toyota have also offered to buy back vehicles with affected airbags and provide rental cars until the airbags can be replaced.
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What to do if your car is affected
If your car is affected by the Takata airbag recall, there are several steps you should take to ensure your safety and compliance with the recall. Firstly, check your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or chassis number to confirm that your vehicle is indeed included in the recall. You can find your VIN on your registration papers or on the lower part of the passenger side of your windscreen.
Once you have confirmed that your vehicle is affected, you should contact your vehicle's manufacturer or a dealership to make an appointment to have the airbag replaced. Carmakers are attempting to notify owners by mail, but you should not wait for a recall letter from the manufacturer. Dealerships and manufacturers can provide information on the next steps and replacement options.
If you have already received a recall letter, it is important to follow the instructions provided and contact the manufacturer or dealership as soon as possible to arrange for a replacement. The replacement process typically takes about 90 minutes once booked in, and there is no cost to the car owner.
In the meantime, it is important to note that disconnecting the airbag is not recommended by safety authorities. If you are involved in a crash, it is more likely that your Takata airbag will deploy properly and protect you than misdeploy and cause harm. Additionally, if the airbags are disconnected, the vehicle will be considered unroadworthy and cannot be registered or insured.
If you sell your car prior to receiving a replacement airbag, you must advise the new owner of the affected Takata airbag and the need for replacement. Provide the new owner's contact details to the Australian office of the manufacturer (with their consent) to ensure they receive the necessary information and support.
Finally, stay informed by subscribing to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) recall updates and paying close attention to any correspondence from your manufacturer. This will help ensure that you are aware of any future developments or actions required related to the Takata airbag recall.
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The dangers of Takata airbags
The fault with these airbags is that they can deploy with excessive force, causing sharp metal fragments to be projected at high speed into the vehicle cabin. This can occur even in low-speed accidents, and the consequences can be deadly for vehicle occupants. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US has issued a critical warning about certain Takata airbags, stating that they have a 50% probability of exploding and causing serious injury or death.
In Australia, the issue has affected a wide range of vehicle brands, including Ford, GM Holden (Opel and Saab), Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, BMW, Chrysler, Ferrari, Honda, Jeep, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota. The Australian government has responded with a compulsory recall of all defective Takata airbags, with a particular focus on the alpha airbags, which pose the highest risk of rupture.
The scale of the problem is significant, with over four million affected Takata airbag inflators in Australia, leading to recalls of more than three million vehicles. Despite these efforts, there are still tens of thousands of cars with deadly Takata airbags on Australian roads, and vehicle manufacturers have been urged to ensure all affected airbags are replaced. The ACCC has warned that these airbags pose a serious safety risk, and drivers with affected vehicles have been advised to consider alternative transport options until their airbags can be replaced.
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The recall process
The Takata airbag recall is the world's largest automotive recall, affecting an estimated 100 million vehicles globally. In Australia, the recall includes vehicles produced by FCAI member brands, including Ford, GM Holden, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, BMW, Chrysler, Ferrari, Honda, Jeep, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota.
Step 1: Check if your vehicle is affected
You can check if your vehicle is affected by the Takata airbag recall by visiting the website of the Australian office of your vehicle's manufacturer. Have your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ready, as you will need this to check your vehicle's status. Your VIN is a unique 17-character serial number that can be found on your vehicle or in documentation such as your registration certificate or owner's handbook. You can also check if your vehicle is affected by entering your number plate and state or territory at IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au or by texting 'TAKATA' to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224).
Step 2: Contact your vehicle manufacturer
If your vehicle is affected by the recall, contact the Australian office of your vehicle's manufacturer to ensure they have your current contact details. They will be able to provide you with further information about the recall and the process for having your airbag replaced.
Step 3: Arrange for your airbag to be replaced
Vehicle manufacturers are required to ensure that all cars with affected Takata airbags have their airbags replaced free of charge. If your vehicle is unregistered, you can have it towed to the dealership by the manufacturer and have the airbag replaced.
Step 4: Notify the new owner if you sell your vehicle before the airbag is replaced
If you sell your vehicle before receiving your final replacement airbag, you must advise the new owner that the vehicle has an affected Takata airbag that will need to be replaced. Provide the Australian office of the manufacturer with the new owner's contact details (with their consent).
Step 5: Be aware of potential scams
Be aware that there may be individuals impersonating representatives of vehicle manufacturers or dealerships offering to collect vehicles for recall. Always deal directly with the manufacturer or their authorised dealership when arranging for your airbag to be replaced.
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The impact on the automotive industry
The impact of the Takata airbag scandal on the automotive industry in Australia has been significant. In February 2018, the Australian government issued a compulsory recall for all vehicles fitted with faulty Takata airbags, affecting over four million airbag inflators and involving more than three million vehicle recalls. This made it the most significant compulsory recall in Australia's history and the world's largest automotive recall, with an estimated 100 million vehicles affected globally.
The recall has had a financial impact on the automotive industry, with manufacturers required to replace airbags free of charge. It has also damaged the reputation of vehicle manufacturers, with consumers losing trust in the safety of their vehicles. This has led to decreased sales and brand loyalty, as consumers are unsure if their vehicles are safe to drive.
The recall has also highlighted the importance of vehicle safety and the need for effective safety measures. The defective Takata airbags have been linked to over 350 serious injuries and 33 deaths worldwide, including one death and three injuries in Australia. This has resulted in increased scrutiny of the automotive industry and its safety standards, with consumers demanding more stringent safety measures to protect vehicle occupants.
The recall has also caused logistical challenges for the industry, with manufacturers struggling to locate and contact all affected vehicles and their owners. In Australia, over 90,000 cars with deadly Takata airbags were still on the roads as of November 2020, with more than half located in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. This suggests that manufacturers have faced difficulties in reaching all affected vehicles, despite their efforts.
The impact of the Takata airbag scandal has been far-reaching, affecting not only the financial and reputational aspects of the automotive industry but also raising questions about vehicle safety and highlighting the challenges of implementing large-scale recalls. It has led to increased consumer awareness and demand for safer vehicles, forcing the industry to re-evaluate its safety standards and practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Takata airbags have been found to have a design defect that may cause them to deploy with too much explosive force, sending sharp metal fragments into the vehicle at high speed, which can cause serious injury or even death.
The Australian recall includes vehicles produced by Ford, GM Holden (including Opel and Saab), Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, BMW, Chrysler, Ferrari, Honda, Jeep, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota.
There are over 130,000 cars with faulty Takata airbags still on Australian roads.
Vehicle manufacturers are required to replace the airbags free of charge. Owners should check if their car is affected and contact the manufacturer to have the airbag replaced.
You can check by entering your number plate and state or territory at ismyairbagsafe.com.au, or by texting 'TAKATA' to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224). You can also check by using your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the manufacturer's website.
