Drivers affected by deadly airbag recall may need more replacements

CAR companies have been refitting potentially deadly airbags that have killed at least 18 people around the world, including an Australian

CAR companies have been refitting recalled vehicles with potentially deadly airbags that have killed at least 18 people around the world, including in Australia.

An investigation by consumer group Choice has found that Toyota, Mazda, BMW, Lexus and Subaru have admitted refitting some faulty Takata airbags with identical replacements, while other manufacturers had not shared information.

The airbag mechanism becomes faulty after the airbag has aged, with Toyota saying the replacement airbags would be safe for “a number of years”.

Choice’s report follows an incident where serious injuries were suffered by a Northern Territory woman in April, and the recent death of a New South Wales man after his Honda CR-V’s airbag ruptured in a crash and he was hit in the neck by debris.

Japan’s Takata Corporation last month filed for bankruptcy amid the world’s largest ever automotive product recall, affecting 100 million vehicles globally including 2.3 million in Australia.

Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey said consumers needed to understand the severity of the problem, with many motorists effectively “driving around with an improvised explosive device a few centimetres from your face”.

“It can fire shrapnel at you and your family,” he said.

“The scale and severity of this recall is terrifying. It’s clear that these car companies are under a great deal of pressure … it’s unfortunate that many people who contact them can’t get a remedy within a reasonable period of time.”

Choice is concerned that some car owners were told by dealers to wait more than six months for a repair. It said several car companies had refitted some recalled vehicles with like-for-like Takata airbags.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims said there had been problems sourcing stock and suppliers given the scale of the airbag recall across 60 makes of cars sold in Australia. Car makers now had enough stock available, he said.

Originally published as Drivers affected by deadly airbag recall may need more replacements