By Luke Voogt
More than 750 Geelong cars have “deadly” airbags that can kill vehicle occupants with sharp metal fragments, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has warned.
“These airbags are very dangerous,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said.
“[They] have the potential to explode with too much force, even in low speed accidents, sending sharp metal fragments into the vehicle at high speed, potentially killing or seriously injuring its occupants.”
More than 330 injuries and 30 deaths have reportedly occurred due to faulty Takata airbags worldwide, with one death and three injuries in Australia, including one serious injury.
The Takata airbag recall is the world’s largest automotive recall, affecting an estimated 100 million vehicles globally.
Under the recall, owners are entitled to have their faulty Takata airbags replaced free of charge.
Specialists have replaced airbags in 26,739 Geelong cars, with a further 751 still requiring repair according to the ACCC.
Across Australia 2,711,387 vehicles have had their airbags replaced while 90,898 still require repair.
The commission on Monday urged motorists to check their cars and prompt others to do so.
“If you know someone … who you think may not know about the recall, tell them about it and offer to help them check their car,” Ms Rickard said.
“It takes less than a minute and together we can help reduce the number of dangerous airbags in cars on our roads.”
The ACCC is working to educate consumers in communities of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to check that their car is not under recall.
“It is important that we all help spread the word,” Ms Rickard said.
“Anyone whose car is subject to the recall should not delay and contact a dealership to book their car in urgently for a free airbag replacement.
“A number of state and territory registration authorities are also imposing registration sanctions in relation to vehicles affected by the compulsory recall. If you don’t act now, registration of your vehicle could be at risk.”
Owners can check if their airbag is affected by entering their number plate and state or territory at ismyairbagsafe.com.au, or by texting ‘TAKATA’ to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224).
