IS YOUR AIRBAG SAFE?

Did you know that the current number of cars recalled due to the defective Takata airbags is around four million? A staggering 1.8 million cars are still out on Australian roads needing their airbags replaced.

Sadly, to date there has been 24 reported deaths and more than 260 injuries from these faulty inflators worldwide. In Australia one motorist has been killed by the deadly airbag in July 2017, whilst another was seriously injured in June of the same year.

Just when you thought this problem could not get any worse there has been a new discovery. There is a particular type of Takata inflator called the ‘Alpha’ airbag which is now regarded as the worst type. They are the first-generation versions of Takata airbags which sustained a range of defects at the time they were manufactured. Being the oldest they are more susceptible to degradation and have a significantly higher rate of rupturing upon deployment. This airbag can be found in almost 20,000 cars and was installed in certain Honda, Nissan, BMW, Toyota, Mazda and Lexus cars with models sold between 2001 and 2004.

We urge all drivers to check whether their motor vehicle has been recalled to replace faulty Takata airbags and this is a compulsory action that needs to be taken urgently.

Motoring industry body, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), has created a new website, www.IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au, which allows drivers to enter their registration number and find out whether their car is included in the recall. A trio of frequently-asked questions is included to reassure owners they won't have to pay for the replacement, and to reinforce how dangerous the airbags are.