Millions of vehicles with Takata airbags are being recalled after an investigation by consumer group Choice linked them to multiple deaths and almost 200 injuries.
It’s being called the largest recall in automotive history, with over 2.3 million cars being recalled in Australia alone.
In Australia, the recall has affected 60 different makes and models of vehicles, with two deaths associated with the faulty bags.
Vehicle owners were slow to act during the voluntary recall last year, now the federal government have stepped in and are issuing a compulsory urgent recall for the cars.
While there is a lot to be said for the typical Australian laid-back attitude of, “she’ll be right mate”, we can not stress enough that this is really not the time to sit back and do nothing.
Of the 2.3 million cars that have been recalled, car makers are reporting that just over 1 million have been attended to so far.
And don’t think that just because your car is an older model it’s okay – cars that are 20 years or older are those most at risk, and more likely to contain corroded elements that can explode and send deadly shrapnel throughout your vehicle, causing potentially fatal injuries.
Car makes and models affected by the airbag recall
BMW 5 Series E39, 3 Series E46, X5 E53, 2002-2005, 2016/15581
BMW 5 series E39, 3 Series E46, X5 E53, 2017/15881
Chrysler 300(LE/LX), 2005-2012, 2016/15516
Chrysler 300C, 2005-2010, 2015/14742
Dodge RAM, 2004-2010, 2016/15516
Ferrari 458, California, FF, 2008-2011, 2016/15430
Ford Mustang, 2006-2014, 2015/14924
Honda Accord/CRV,2001-2002, 2009/10969
Honda Civic, 2001, 2010/11785
Honda Accord, 2001-2002, 2011/12633
Honda Civic, CR-V, Jazz, 2001-2003, 2013/13549
Honda Jazz, 2004, 2014/14438
Honda Accord, CR-V, Civic, Jazz, 2003-2004, 2014/14498
Honda Accord Euro, CR-V, Civic, Jazz, 2002-2009, 2015/14703
Honda Jazz, CR-V, 2005-2007, 2015/14702
Honda MDX, Accord, 2001-2006, 2015/14737
Honda City, CR-V, Insight, Jazz, 2006-2012, 2015/14819
Honda City, CR-V, Insight, Jazz, 2011-2014, 2016/15197
Honda Civic, Legend, Jazz, 2006-2012, 2016/15198
Honda Accord Euro, City, CR-V, Jazz, Insight, 2007-2011, 2016/15496
Honda Legend, Odyssey, Accord, MDX, 2003-2011, 2016/15495
Honda Civic, Accord, 2006-2011, 2016/15494
Jeep Wrangler JK, 2007-2012, 2016/15516
Lexus SC430, 2000-2003, 2013/13545
Lexus IS 250, IS 250C, 350, IS F, 2005-2011, 2016/15425
Lexus IS 250, IS 350, IS 250C, IS-F, LFA2011-2012, 2017/15846
Mazda 2, B Series, BT-50, 2006-2011, 2016/15522
Mazda 2, RX-8, 2003-2014, 2016/15521
Mazda 6, 2002-2003, 2013/13570
Mazda 6, RX-8, 2002-2004, 2014/14172
Mazda 6, 2005-2007, 2015/14761
Mazda 6, 2006-2009, 2015/14762
Mazda 6, RX-8, B2500 ute/cab chassis, B2600 ute/cab chassis, BT-50, 2002-2011, 2015/14760
Mitsubishi GA & GB i-MiEV, 2010-2011, 2017/15990
Mitsubishi Lancer, 2003-2008, 2015/14936
Mitsubishi ML & MN Triton, 2007-2014, 2016/15523
Mitsubishi Pajero NS, NT, NW, NX, 2007-2016, 2016/15617
Mitsubishi Pajero NS & NT, 2006-2009, 2017/15991
Nissan N16 Pulsar, Y61 Patrol, 2001, 2010/11761
Nissan N16 Pulsar, Y61 Patrol, 2017/15940
Nissan N16 Pulsar, Y61 Patrol, D22 Navara, T30 X-Trail, 2000-2004, 2013/13542
Nissan N16 Pulsar, D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol, T30 X-Trail, A33 maxima, 2001-2003, 2014/14182
Nissan N16 Pulsar, D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol, T30 X-Trail, J31 maxima, 2003, 2015/14751
Nissan N16 Pulsar, D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol, T30 X-Trail, J31 maxima, 2004-2007, 2015/14752
Nissan D22 Navara, T30 X-Trail, J31 Maxima, 2007-2008, 2015/14821
Nissan D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol, 2009-2012, 2016/15769
Nissan D40 Navara, 2008-2014, 2016/15228
Nissan Tiida, 2006-2012, 2016/15383
Peformax Silverado, Sierra, Mustang, 2007-2008, 2015/14789
Subaru Impreza, 2004-2007, 2015/14715
Subaru Impreza, Forester, 2008-2009, 2016/15766
Subaru Tribeca, Liberty, Outback, 2004-2009, 2016/15507
Toyota Corolla, Avensis Verso, 2000-2004, 2013/13544
Toyota Echo, Rav 4, 2002-2003, 2014/14456
Toyota Echo, Rav 4, 2003-2005, 2015/14700
Toyota Corolla, Avensis Verso, Yaris, 2003-2007, 2015/14701
Toyota Avensis Verso, Yaris, 2007-2008, 2015/14794
Toyota Corolla, Yaris, Avensis Verso, 2006-2011, 2016/15709
Toyota Corolla, 2003-2005, 2017/15950
Toyota Corolla, Yaris & Rukus, 2010-2012, 2017/16010
Toyota Echo, Rav 4, 2002-2003, 2017/16014
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) spokesperson, Rod Sims is urging Australian’s not to panic.
“We’re seeking information from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development as to exactly what information it is requiring car manufacturers and retailers to give consumers about their car’s airbag, including the likelihood of the airbag being replaced again,” explained Sims.
“We would have very serious concerns if manufacturers were found to be misleading consumers about their car’s safety in breach of their obligations under consumer law.
“Our advice to consumers is not to panic, but to visit the Product Safety Australia website to see if their car is affected by the recall and if it is, to contact their car’s manufacturer immediately.
“If consumers have already had their airbag replaced, they should contact their manufacturer for advice as to what kind of airbag it was replaced with and how long it is expected to last.”
See the full list of cars affected above.
The death of Law Suk Leh
The airbags use ammonium nitrate to inflate, which is a chemical compound that degrades when it’s exposed to moisture. The defective airbags run the risk of rupturing at random and firing out metal shards.
Sadly, in 2014 an airbag ruptured and killed the heavily pregnant 43-year-old Law Suk Leh. The bag shot metal shards into the Malaysian woman’s neck.
Her baby died just two days after delivery.
