Compulsory recall of vehicles fitted with defective Takata airbags

The compulsory recall will capture approximately 2.3 million vehicles that still have a defective airbag that needs replacement. This includes vehicles made by Ford, GM Holden, Mercedes Benz, Tesla, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda. This is in addition to existing voluntary recalls by BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, GMC, Honda, Jeep, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volvo and Hino Trucks.

The compulsory recall places requirements on vehicle manufacturers, dealers, importers and other suppliers to ensure that dangerous Takata airbags are located and replaced as quickly as possible. Absolute priority will be given to replacing alpha airbags, which pose an immediate and critical safety risk.

To ensure a coordinated recall, over the next two years manufacturers will be required to progressively identify their recalls and replace airbags in affected vehicles. Recalled vehicles are published on the Product Safety Website.

All defective Takata airbags will need to be replaced by 31 December 2020, with priority of replacement given to airbags based on a range of factors including age and exposure to heat and humidity.

In particular, if a recalled vehicle has an alpha airbag, there is an immediate and extreme safety risk and these vehicles should not be driven. Consumers should check if their vehicle is fitted with an alpha airbag at productsafety.gov.au and, if so, should not drive the vehicle and should immediately contact their dealer to arrange for replacement of the airbag.

If your vehicle is recalled, contact your local dealer or manufacturer to book in a time to have the airbag replaced. Due to the safety risk, do not ignore or delay responding to a letter from your vehicle manufacturer asking you to have airbags replaced.

The airbag replacement is free for vehicle owners. Manufacturers have until 3 April 2018 to provide details of the additional recalled vehicles to the ACCC.

Guidance for consumers and industry is available at www.productsafety.gov.au.

Consumers who experience any difficulties or delays in obtaining a replacement airbag should contact the ACCC through the Product Safety webform.