The latest Takata airbag recall rectification figures have been released by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) showing steady progress for the massive task of replacing the faulty airbags.

 

More than three million Australian vehicles needed to have their airbags replaced and figures today suggest that there is a total of 537,000 vehicles still to be rectified. This means the message is getting through and a majority of impacted vehicles have already had their airbags replaced.

 

Tony Weber, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), commented saying, “Time, money and resources are not a consideration for the Australian automotive industry in the mandatory Takata recall. All that matters is the faulty airbags are rectified as soon as possible, and with minimum inconvenience for the customer.”

 

“The FCAI and our automotive members have just launched a brand new Takata advertising campaign, designed to encourage customers to check their vehicles against our easy-to-use website, www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au,” Mr Weber said.

 

“It’s a simple process. Just go to the website and enter your vehicle’s registration and state or territory. You can also check by texting TAKATA to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224)."

 

“It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s free – and you could be saving your own life, or that of a loved one,” Mr Weber said.

 

As Takata airbags age, are exposed to high temperatures or humidity, there is an increased risk of the airbag inflator propellant degrading. This can result in the metal inflator housing rupturing and expelling metal fragments into the vehicle potentially causing serious injury or death. This means that it is imperative that the faulty airbags be replaced as soon as possible.