Owners concerned that their vehicle may be affected by the Takata airbag scandal are now encouraged to check their car on a centralised website as part of a compulsory nationwide recall.
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) Chief Executive Tony Weber launched the new website www.IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au as well as a national advertising campaign.
The message is for vehicle owners to check their number plate against the database of affected vehicles on the industry-backed website.
Should a vehicle be affected by the offending Takata airbag, a replacement airbag inflator will be installed free of charge.
To draw attention to the issue, a deliberately confronting slogan “Don’t Die Wondering” is aiming to target more than 1.6 million vehicle owners who are, or might be, affected by the faulty Takata airbags.
So far, Takata airbags have played a part in 24 reported deaths and 266 injuries worldwide due to mis-deploying Takata airbag inflator ruptures. One death and one serious injury have been reported in Australia.
Urgent is the need to immediately replace ‘alpha’-type airbags which are a subset of faulty Takata airbags and pose the greatest risk to the safety of vehicle occupants. Affected vehicles could include BMW, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota models sold between 2001 and 2004.
Roughly 19,500 Australian vehicles are still due to have the potentially deadly alpha airbags replaced.
Mr Weber commented: “In certain circumstances, there is a chance as high as 1-in-2 that these may rupture on deployment in a collision. These vehicles with alpha airbag inflators should not be driven and owners should immediately contact their manufacturer.
“If a faulty Takata airbag inflator ruptures, metal fragments will propel out of the airbag and into the vehicle cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death to occupants.
“It is vital that vehicle owners don’t underestimate the seriousness of this national recall.”
Multiple attempts to contact owners of alpha airbag-affected vehicles, often more than five attempts via mail, SMS and phone calls, have not been successful.
Almost half of the 3.05 million vehicles affected nationwide have already had their Takata airbag inflators replaced, however, the risk of mis-deployment may increase after the first six years depending on exposure to high temperatures and humidity levels.
Due to a worldwide shortage of replacement airbag inflators, some high-risk vehicles have also had to undergo a temporary fix with new Takata airbag inflators fitted for the meantime. These will also need to be replaced within six years.
Vehicle owners can check if their vehicles are affected immediately via the website: www.IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au, or text the word “Takata” to 0487 AIRBAG (0487 247 224) for further advice.
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