Takata Airbag Recall Recent Development
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Industry would be aware of the current Takata Airbag voluntary recall
being undertaken by some 12 different manufacturers in Australia, since
2009.
All manufacturers who have supplied vehicles with defective Takata
airbags have been invited to register for a conference with the
ACCC via
www.accc.gov.au/takata.
The ACCC will then make final recommendations to Mr McCormack in
relation to the issue of a compulsory recall, as soon as practicable,
after any conference is held.
The proposed recall will require suppliers to replace all defective
Takata airbags by 31 December 2020, with priority given to airbags which
pose the greatest safety risk, particularly vehicles with ‘alpha’
airbags.
The recall will also include replacement of ‘like for like’ airbags
which have been installed as part of the earlier recalls, as they will
also deteriorate over time.
Members need to note that should a compulsory recall notice be issued by
Government, it will involve all manufacturers including those who have
not yet initiated recall programs. These include Audi, Ford, Jaguar,
Volkswagen, GM Holden, Porsche, Mercedes Benz and Tesla.
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
Injuries and deaths reported to-date since the commencement of the
recall program number at least 207 injuries and 19 deaths associated
with the misdeployment of Takata PSAN Airbags. Of the 19 deaths, 13 have
occurred in the US, 5 in Malaysia and 1 in Australia.
On 21 September, a joint Media Release by The Hon Michael McCormack, MP,
Minister for Small Business and The Hon Paul Fletcher, MP, Minister for
Urban Infrastructure was made outlining a “Proposed Compulsory Recall:
Vehicles with Defective Takata Airbags”
(Please refer to attached link for the full media release and copy of the proposed compulsory recall information).
McCorMack-Fletcher-recall-notice-media-release.pdf
Proposed-recall-notice-and-draft-recall-notice.pdf
Small Business Minister Michael McCormack and Minister for Urban
Infrastructure Paul Fletcher wrote to vehicle manufacturers on 25 July
2017 for an update on the voluntary recall process.
On 5 August 2017, Mr McCormack issued a Safety Warning Notice to warn
consumers of the risks associated with the Takata Airbags and encouraged
them to check their vehicle’s status.
Following varied responses from manufacturers and the reports received
from the ACCC’s Takata Taskforce in relation to the efforts made by
suppliers to locate consumers with vehicles subject to the recall, all
manufacturers who have supplied vehicles with defective Takata airbags
have been invited to register for a conference with the
ACCC via
www.accc.gov.au/takata.
Industry should also be aware, should a compulsory recall notice be
issued, it will include eight (8) manufacturers who have not yet
initiated voluntary recall programs for vehicles fitted with Takata
Airbags, based upon information that the Airbag components were
manufactured in Freiberg Germany and that there had been no reported
cases from components initiated from the factory in Germany.
This however is not the case, Takata have now indicated there has been
six (6) reported cases involving components manufactured in Germany
between August 2016 and May 2017.
For further information, contact Brenton Daniel, Senior Divisional Manager MTANSW on 02 9016 9025 or
brenton.daniel@mtansw.com.au.
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