AIR BAG RECALL

airbag

Well what can we say, faulty air bags in vehicles are becoming a real problem, more than 100 million vehicles have been affected globally. It is the most significant compulsory recall in Australian history.

We have Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Audi, Subaru, Holden and Volkswagen to name a few here in Australia, but there are many more. About 78,000 vehicles manufactured by Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Toyota between 1996 and 2000 are affected.

Some car manufacturers are offering buybacks of vehicles fitted with these airbags as replacement parts are not available.

Some vehicles are being recalled almost immediately while others are being recalled on a scheduled basis, depending on the various factors of safety risk. This means not all vehicles will be recalled straight away.

The ACCC (Australian Competition & Consumer Commission) have and will continue to issue recalls after ACCC safety investigations.

Compulsory Recall

As stated on the ACCC website:

The Minister decided to issue a compulsory recall because, based on extensive evidence provided by the ACCC, it appeared to him that:

  • A reasonably foreseeable use of vehicles with defective Takata airbags may cause injury to drivers and/or passengers, and
  • A one or more suppliers of vehicles with defective Takata airbags have not taken satisfactory action to prevent those vehicles causing injury to drivers and/or passengers.

The compulsory recall applies to:

  • all vehicles that are subject to existing Takata voluntary recalls, and
  • approximately 1.3 million additional vehicles that have not been voluntarily recalled.

Takata airbag design defect

Apparently, there are airbags made by Takata Corporation that use a chemical called Phase-Stabilised Ammonium Nitrate (PSAN) as a propellant. So what does this mean? Well, as the airbag ages and is exposed to high temperatures and humidity, the PSAN propellant is exposed to moisture and degrades. If this happens, when the airbag is triggered and deploys (in a collision), it may deploy with too much explosive force, rupturing the airbag inflator housing so that sharp metal fragments shoot out and hit vehicle occupants, potentially injuring or killing them.

Takata critical (including alpha)

People need to take IMMEDIATE steps to have their faulty airbags replaced if their vehicle is under the phrase critical recall. Takata airbags that are in the critical category pose a heightened risk of injury or death. It is strongly recommended that owners of vehicles with critical airbags stop driving their vehicles immediately.

What should you do?

Drivers are urged to check whether their vehicle is affected, and if so, whether it is under active or future recall. You can check your car at https://ismyairbagsafe.com.au/

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

What happens if you don’t do the recall?

Well great question. Failure to get the recall done can result in your vehicles registration being suspended. The RMS will send out a warning letter giving you 28 days to take the necessary steps to rectify the problem, then they will send another letter warning you of the suspension, then a final letter letting you know that your vehicles registration has be suspended. Once your vehicle has been suspended you will not be allowed to drive, sell or transfer the ownership of your vehicle until evidence has been provided of airbag replacement.

Visit the RMS website for more information: https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/takata-airbag-recall.html

For more information on this topic please visit the ACCC website, here is the direct link

Hope you found this helpful

The team at BBT Japparts

Newcastle’s most trusted automotive dismantler since 1990

BBT Jap Parts
Phone: 02 4956 1366
Email: sales@bbtjapparts.com.au

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