Canberra is considering the introduction of the first-ever compulsory safety recall for cars, after another 877,000 vehicles from 8 more car brands have been added to the Takata airbag recall.
There are now more than 3.3 million vehicles, or about one in ever 7 cars on Aussie roads affected by the recall. The faulty airbags can spray shrapnel when deployed in a crash because they have an unstable explosive material. There have been 19 deaths globally, and one in Australia.
The recall affects about 100 million cars worldwide but only 950-thousand affected cars in Australia have had their airbags replaced. That leaves 2.4 million cars on the road with a question mark.
It is critical for drivers with alpha airbags installed take immediate steps to have the airbags replaced because of a significant risk of injury or death involved in using vehicles with these airbags.
These cars are the main vehicles fitted with the suspect alpha airbags, needing the most urgent attention:
Make & model Year Range
BMW 3 Series E46 12/2001 - 03/2003
BMW 3 Series E46 09/1999 - 08/2006
Honda Accord, CR-V 2001-2002
Honda Civic 2001
Honda Accord 2001-2003
Honda Accord Euro 2001-2003
Honda CR-V 2001-2003
Honda Jazz MDX 2001-2003
Honda Jazz 2004
Mazda6, RX-8,BT-50 2002-2011
Nissan N16 Pulsar 2000-2004
Nissan Y61 Patrol 2000-2004
Nissan D22 Navara 2000-2004
Nissan T30 X-Trail 2000-2004
Toyota Corolla 2000-2004
Avensis Verso 2000-2004
Lexus SC430 2000-2004
Toyota Echo 2002-2003
Rav 4 2002-2003
If you want check if your vehicle is safe you can do so here.
A decision is expected on a compulsory recall by the middle of October.