Eight brands hit by new recalls for killer Takata ‘NADI’ airbags

Recalls for potentially deadly airbags have expanded to include a new type of airbag in models built by Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Ford, Honda BMW and Audi.

Toyota’s original RAV4 is on a list of vehicles hit by new Takata airbag recalls.

Australia’s largest safety recall has expanded to include a new type of Takata airbag.

The death of a BMW driver this year triggered new recalls of “NADI 5-AT” type airbags not included in any previous recall.

BMW has already started recalls and buybacks of E46 3 Series models built between 1997 and 2000 that could malfunction, spraying motorists with deadly shrapnel.

New models added to the recalls include Audi A6, A8, A4, TT and Cabriolet models built between 1997 and 2000. The Ford Courier van and Suzuki Grand Vitara sold from 1998 to 2000 are also affected, as is Mazda’s niche Eunos 800 model built from 1996 to 1999.

Pitched as a BMW rival, the Eunos 800 is a rare sight on the road.

Popular Toyota vehicles added to the recalls list include the Starlet, Paseo, Celica, Rav4 and Echo built in the late 1990s. Honda’s Legend, Accord and CR-V are on the list of new models hit by the recall, as are Mitsubishi’s Pajero, Lancer, Express, Mirage and Starwagon.

Mitsubishi’s Mirage was a first-car favourite in the 1990s.

The recall affects about 78,000 cars originally sold in Australia, but many of the 20-year-old vehicles are no longer on the road.

Mazda says around one in 10 of the 466 Eunos 800 sedans affected are still registered.

Even so, the ACCC says drivers of the above vehicles who have already examined whether their car is affected by sweeping airbag recalls need to check again.

The driver of an E46-generation BMW 3 Series became the second person reportedly killed by a faulty airbag in Australia.

ACCC chair Rod Sims said people who own cars affected by the issue should not drive.

“We are issuing this warning now to urge people not to use their car if it is affected by this potentially deadly airbag,” he says.

“We want everyone to have a happy and safe holiday period, and encourage people to consider alternative transport options if possible, rather than using vehicles fitted with these airbags.”

More information: Productsafety.gov.au

Originally published as Eight brands hit by new recalls for killer Takata ‘NADI’ airbags