78,000 more vehicles added to Takata recall

AN ADDITIONAL 78,000 cars on Australian roads could be fitted with potentially deadly Takata airbags than first thought, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The warnings were issued this morning and revolve around a new type of airbag, fitted with a NADI 5-AT propellant, which has not been part of the compulsory recall campaign running since early 2018.

These are the same airbags for which BMW issued a voluntary recall in November.

The more than 12,000 BMW E46 3 Series affected are included in the 78,000 vehicles now under voluntary recall nationwide, joined by other models produced between 1996 and 2000 from Audi, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Toyota.

So far there have been three reported incidents involving the suspect airbags, two of which involved the affected 3 Series – including one fatality.

ACCC chairman Rod Simms said discussions with the relevant manufacturers were already underway in the quest to prevent any more serious injuries or fatalities.

“Even though full details and appropriate remedies are still being worked out by the manufacturers we are issuing this warning now to urge people not to use their car if it is affected by this potentially deadly airbag,” he said.

“We want everyone to have a happy and safe holiday period, and encourage people to consider alternative transport options if possible, rather than using vehicles fitted with these airbags.

“The fastest way to deal with these issues is via a voluntary recall. A compulsory recall is a lengthy process but it will be considered if manufacturers do not take appropriate steps.”

According to the ACCC, moisture may get into the airbag inflator unit and degrade the airbag propellant, causing the propellant to become volatile and “not react as intended during an accident, causing misdeployment of the airbag”.

Just like in the Alpha and Beta units that are at the centre of the compulsory recall, metal fragments could act as shrapnel and be propelled from the airbag unit and into vehicle occupants.

Echoing its German compatriot, Audi today issued a voluntary recall of 3960 vehicles thought to be affected as discussions continued between the federal department of infrastructure, transport, cities and regional development and car-makers Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Toyota, all of which are still to finalise terms of their own respective voluntary recall.

All of these car-makers, as well as Audi, have “agreed to consider providing urgent short-term assistance for consumers who are experiencing significant hardship over the Christmas period as a result of this safety warning”.

Affected Audi models comprise the MY97-00 A4, MY98-00 A6 and A8, MY99-00 TT and MY98-99 Cabriolet.

At Ford, the MY98-00 Courier is affected, newly assigned Honda models comprise the MY97-00 Accord and CR-V and MY96-00 Legend, Mazda is calling back the MY96-99 Eunos 800 and Mitsubishi is dealing with the MY97-00 Lancer, Mirage, Pajero, Express and Starwagon.

The sole affected Suzuki model is the MY98-00 Grand Vitara, while the Toyota models in question cover the MY97-99 Celica, Paseo, RAV4 and Starlet and MY99 Vitz/Echo.

As reported, the affected BMW E46 3 Series models (MY97-00) comprise 316i, 318i, 320i, 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i sedans plus 318Ci, 320Ci, 323Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci coupes.

To check if your car is included in this latest warning, visit www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls/recall-of-takata-nadi-5-at-airbags.

As GoAuto has reported, the ACCC’s running tally shows that 2.53 million vehicles subject to the biggest vehicle recall in Australian history have had their airbags rectified as at the end of October – marking an 85 per cent completion rate – but that still leaves more than 300,000 vehicles with potentially deadly Takata inflators out in the community.