On 28 February 2018, the Australian Federal Government announced a new, compulsory recall of 2.7 million cars affected by the defective Takata airbags.
The faulty Takata airbag inflators contain a defect that can cause them to explode and propel shrapnel into drivers and passengers. These little pieces of material have been known to puncture eyes, faces, necks and chests. The airbags have been associated with 23 deaths and 230 injuries globally, including one death in Australia last year.
The compulsory recall requires suppliers of vehicles with defective Takata airbags to replace all defective Takata airbags in Australian vehicles by 31 December 2020 (or later in some instances if approved by the ACCC).
All manufacturers have to provide the ACCC with Recall Initiation Schedule for all affected vehicles prior to 3 April 2018 and contact consumers directly when recall action is initiated for their vehicle (under ‘active recall’). Vehicles marked as ‘active recall’ can have their affected Takata airbags replaced straight away. Consumers with vehicles subject to ‘future recall’ will be notified by the supplier when it is time to have their airbag replaced (and they can also find their vehicle in the supplier’s recall initiation schedule).
Summit Fleet Leasing and Management is working with all the impacted local manufacturers and their dealers ensuring all our customers will be notified about the recall in case their vehicles are affected.
For any assistance with this recall, please get in touch with your respective Senior/Relationship Executive or contact us on 1800 FLEETLEASE.
Further information about the recall can be found here: https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls/compulsory-takata-airbag-recall/about-the-compulsory-takata-airbag-recall.
The list of vehicles due for compulsory ‘active recall’ can be found here: https://www.productsafety.gov.au/news/takata-alpha-airbags-require-immediate-replacement
