The cars affected by biggest recall in history

NEARLY four million cars are to be compulsorily recalled. Here are the exact years and models of the cars impacted.

DRIVERS are being strongly urged to check if they need to have faulty Takata airbags replaced from their motor vehicle in Australia’s largest ever consumer recall.

To see if your car is affected, check the list below:

The ACCC announced certain models from the following brands - which have Takata airbags made in Germany - are being added to the recall campaign once more information becomes available:

•Audi

•Volkswagen

•Skoda

•Ford

•Holden

•Tesla

•Jaguar

•Land Rover

The list of exact models is yet to be released by the manufacturers.

AUSTRALIA’S ‘BIGGEST EVER’ COMPULSORY VEHICLE RECALL

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE IMPACTED

Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Rod Sims reminded consumers they were entitled to a hire car when they took their car to be fixed.

“Don’t take it in once for the driver’s airbag and once for the passenger’s airbag, do it all at once,” he said.

“For those who live a long way away or in remote areas, they may have to go to you. If you bought the car in a very remote location, and it’s too hard to come in, they’ve got to go to you.

“In relation to those Alpha airbags ... we are saying to the people, don’t drive the car again, just contact the manufacturer. They will come out. They are obliged to come out and fix it.”

Alpha airbags are found in older vehicles. It is understood there are about 27,000 in vehicles, but it is not clear how many of these are still on Australian roads.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

• The government has issued a compulsory recall notice for vehicles fitted with defective Takata airbags which have caused injuries and fatalities. It is one of the largest and most significant recalls in Australia’s history, involving four million cars with defective airbags — that’s two-in-seven cars on the road.

• The decision follows a recommendation from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on the back of an extensive investigation and consultation process.

• An earlier voluntary recall process was deemed ineffective.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

• High levels of moisture penetrating the airbag can alight the propelling mechanism too quickly, causing metal fragments to explode outwards. There has been one death and one case of serious injury in Australia as a result of the faulty deployment of the airbags.

• Worldwide, there have been at least 23 deaths and more than 230 serious injuries reported associated with the airbags.

• Takata airbags are an immediate and critical safety risk with people advised not to drive cars containing them.

• Other high-risk airbags will be determined by three factors: age, the location of the vehicle (in areas of high heat or humidity), and the location of the airbag in the vehicle.

WHO PAYS?

• Vehicle manufacturers will be required to cover the full cost of replacement.

WHO WILL BE IMPACTED?

• The compulsory recall will capture about 2.3 million vehicles that still have a defective airbag that needs replacement.

• The order affects vehicles made by Ford, GM Holden, Mercedes Benz, Tesla, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, GMC, Honda, Jeep, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volvo and Hino Trucks.

BUT LABOR CALLED FOR A COMPULSORY RECALL IN AUGUST 2017?

• The government only received the recommendation from the ACCC earlier this month.

• ACCC chairman Rod Sims says “it couldn’t have been done any faster”.

• Assistant Minister to the Treasurer Michael Sukkar said: “I don’t think anyone who understands the process could have accused us of dragging the chain.”

• Labor frontbencher Tim Hammond said: “It is an indictment of this government that they have taken so long to pull the trigger on a compulsory recall.”

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

• Manufacturers, dealers, importers and other suppliers will be required to locate and replace Takata airbags in a staggered recall by December 31, 2020. Recall notices will indicate and fit into three categories of severity: critical, active and future.

• Car owners are urged to check the Product Safety Australia website or their vehicle manufacturer’s website to see if the recall applies to them.

— AAP contributed to this report.