No ifs, maybes or buts. The Australian Government has issued a compulsory recall notice for vehicles fitted with defective Takata airbags, following an extensive safety investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
The compulsory recall was initially proposed back in September 2017, putting the spotlight on manufacturers who did not officially declare that their vehicles were fitted with defective airbags. These manufacturers included a number of European car makers like Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda but also Ford, GM Holden and Tesla which had models recalled overseas.
It is the largest and most significant recall in our nation’s history and will capture approximately 2.3 million vehicles that still have a defective airbag that needs replacement – in addition to the 1.7 million vehicles already fixed.
“This is a very serious issue as a result today the NRMA is announcing that we will do whatever we can through our network of 22 car servicing centres, through our patrol fleet and indeed by mobilising the community and getting them involved”, NRMA media spokesperson Peter Khoury said.
The confirmed list of cars with defective airbags includes vehicles made by Ford, GM Holden, Mercedes Benz, Tesla, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda. This is in addition to existing voluntary recalls by BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, GMC, Honda, Jeep, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volvo and Hino Trucks.
The recall places requirements on vehicle manufacturers, dealers, importers and other suppliers to ensure that dangerous Takata airbags are located and replaced as quickly as possible, with priority given to replacing alpha airbags which pose an immediate and critical safety risk.
“We will be reaching out to car manufacturers today to say that we are here to help. We’re prepared to do whatever we can because the Government has set a deadline of the end of 2020 to get these vehicles fixed. We’d like to see it done earlier than that.” said Peter Khoury.
“Manufacturers have told us that one of the challenges is trying to reach out to people driving their vehicles but having been purchased second-hand.
“If that car has then been sold on, if its second hand, it becomes harder for them [car manufacturers] to reach out to the community and that’s why the NRMA is today saying that we’re prepared to become part of this process.
“We need you to be driving in cars with safe airbags and there’s just far too many out there that don’t.
NRMA Members and motorists across the country are urged to go to the Product Safety Australia website for a list of all models affected.
If your vehicle is recalled, contact your local dealer or manufacturer to book in a time to have the airbag replaced. Due to the safety risk, do not ignore or delay responding to a letter from your vehicle manufacturer asking you to have airbags replaced.
The airbag replacement is free for vehicle owners. Manufacturers have until 3 April 2018 to provide details of the additional recalled vehicles to the ACCC.
Not sure if your vehicle is on the list?
We recommend going to the ACCC Product Safety website for a list of all vehicles currently under recall, additional vehicles and their recall details will be added to the list by April 2018.
New vehicles added to recall list:
Holden - General Motors
Holden Astra-H (2005 - 2009)
Opel Astra -J (2012 - 2013)
Holden Astra-J (2014 - 2017)
Holden Trax (2013 - 2018)
Holden Barina (2012 - 2018)
Holden Cruze (2010 - 2016)
Holden Cascada (2015 - 2017)
Opel Cascada (2014)
Opel Mokka (2014)
Opel Zafira (2013)
SAAB 9-3 (2006 - 2011)
SAAB 9-5 (2006 - 2011)
Ford
Econovan (2004-2005)
Courier (2004-2006)
Ranger (2006-2011)
Mondeo (2007-2009)
Mondeo (2015-2017)
Jaguar-Land Rover
Jaguar XE 2007-2017
Jaguar XF 2016 and 2017
Jaguar F-PACE 2017
Range Rover (Vogue) 2007-2012
Discovery Sport 2015-2017
Volkswagen
Mark 6 Golf (2009-13)
Mark 6 Golf Cabrio (2012-15)
B7 Passat (2011-15)
B6 Passat (2010)
A5 Polo (2010-14)
A4 Polo (2007-09)
CC (2009-16)
Eos (2010-14)
Up (2013-14)
Crafter van (2006-2017)
Transporter Multivan (2008-2015)
Skoda
Skoda Fabia II (2014-2015)
Skoda Fabia III (2015)
Roomster (2014)
Rapid (2013)
Yeti (2010)
Octavia III (2013)
Superb II (2009-2015)
Superb III (2016 onwards)
Kodiaq (2017 onwards)
Audi
Audi A4 Cabriolet B7 2007-2009
Audi A3 8P 2006-2013
Audi A5 Cabriolet B8 2010-2011
Audi Q5 8R 2009-2012
Audi A5 B8 2010-2011
Audi TT 2015-2017
Audi R8 2016-2017
Audi A4 B7 2005-2008
Audi A6 C6 2005-2011
Mercedes-Benz
Exact models affected yet to be announced.
Tesla
Model S 2014-2016
