World’s biggest recall: now 53 million cars with Takata airbags might spray shrapnel

A RECALL of 53 million vehicles has sparked massive concern among Australian motorists, crashing the government’s information website.

MORE than half a million cars in Australia are now part of what has become the world’s biggest automotive recall for airbags that can spray shrapnel — and the figure is set to climb.

Concerned motorists have swamped the government’s information website recalls.gov.au crashing it in the early hours of Thursday morning. The website was still down at 9am.

Japanese company Takata, which manufactures 20 per cent of the car industry’s airbags, has finally admitted to a US hearing overnight that the number of faulty airbags is much greater than it originally forecast.

The number of affected vehicles has now climbed to a staggering 53 million worldwide, including 34 million in the US alone.

The car brands that are affected include Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors.

So far, at least 556,000 cars have been recalled in Australia to have their Takata airbags replaced, but that figure is set to rise following the developments in the US which has dramatically expanded the number of affected vehicles.

Inside view ... a steering wheel airbag with its cover removed. Photo: Supplied

At least six overseas deaths have so far been linked to the faulty airbags which can spray metal shards if the airbag detonator has been exposed to moisture due to a fault in the manufacturing process.

Until now Takata had claimed there was no fault, or that the problems had been fixed in its manufacturing process.

But as recently as November 2014, Takata was accused of destroying evidence of internal testing of potentially faulty airbags.

The Takata turnaround comes as authorities in the US are now trying to remove airbags from cars in junkyards so that the potentially faulty airbags don’t end up being fitted to another, roadworthy car.

Despite the horrific consequences, US and Australian authorities have so far refused to ground the potentially affected cars.

Major supplier ... Takata makes 20 per cent of the world’s airbags. Photo: AFP

The recall is so massive not all car companies have been able to calculate which models are affected, and some have admitted the replacement airbags won’t be fitted until next year, because they can’t be built fast enough.

“Replacement parts are presently being prepared and, due to the number of vehicles impacted globally, it is anticipated that sufficient parts will be available to commence recall repairs by early next year,” said Toyota’s media statement.

Toyota, the world’s largest car maker, last week recalled a further 5 million cars globally, including 181,000 in Australia, bringing the number of locally-affected Takata airbag-equipped Toyotas to 207,000.

Honda Australia has also expanded its recall to include 109,000 cars with potentially faulty passenger airbags and 22,000 cars with potentially faulty driver airbags. It brings the total number of Hondas recalled in Australia with Takata airbags to 188,000.

Honda Australia says it has not been advised from Japan if the latest Takata developments will lead to a further increase in the number of vehicles recalled.

Nissan Australia has now recalled a total of 156,000 cars equipped with Takata airbags, and also says it is yet to receive information on further recalls.

US company Chrysler has recalled 4500 examples of its 300C sedan made in 2006 and 2007.

Not all airbags are dangerous ... so far only the two frontal airbags for driver and front passenger are affected. Photo: Supplied

To date, all of the car brands involved in the international recalls so there have been no incidents, injuries or deaths reported in Australia.

However, adding to the recall drama, the car industry will struggle to contact owners of the affected vehicles because most cars are no longer with the original buyers, given that they are typically made between 2003 and 2007 and now on the used-car market.

Even though it is part of General Motors, Holden says its Australian-delivered vehicles are not affected.

Ford Australia says it is yet to be notified of any recall action following the new, broader scope of the overseas Takata recall campaign.

Mazda Australia says it is yet to receive notification from Japan about the potential for a recall in countries other than the USA.

News Corp Australia was waiting on feedback from BMW and Mercedes-Benz as this article was published, to find out how many — if any — cars are affected locally.

Takata airbags: the recalled models so far

Chrysler 300C sedan 2006 to 2007

Honda Jazz 2004 to 2009

Honda Accord Euro 2004 to 2007

Honda CR-V 2002 to 2008

Honda Civic 2004 to 2005

Nissan N16 Pulsar

Nissan D22 Navara

Nissan Y61 Patrol

Nissan T30 X-TRAIL

Nissan A33 Maxima

Toyota Echo 2003 to 2005

Toyota RAV4 2003 to 2005

Toyota Corolla 2003 to 2007

Toyota Yaris 2005 to 2007

Toyota Avensis 2003 to 2007

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling