Push to replace final Takata airbags

About 12,000 airbags fitted in cars across New Zealand need replacing if the vehicles are to pass warrant of fitness checks in 2020.

Commerce and Consumer Minister Kris Faafoi says 96 per cent of New Zealand-new vehicles with Takata Alpha airbags have been replaced since a compulsory recall began in April 2018.

He adds that 85 per cent of new and used imported vehicle airbags have also been repaired in that time and urges remaining owners to get their free repair as soon as possible.

“I’m pleased with the progress of this recall, which has involved key brands in the motor vehicle industry, government agencies and consumer bodies,” Faafoi, pictured above, says. “I am keen, however, to get a ‘final push’ in the next few weeks to get all remaining affected vehicles repaired. At the end of this year the recall technically ends and becomes the ongoing jurisdiction of the NZ Transport Agency.”

From 2020, all identified vehicles that haven’t had their airbags replaced will be flagged by the NZTA and this will prevent the vehicle from getting a new warrant of fitness (WoF) until the repairs are made.

About 94 per cent of the remaining 12,000 airbags yet to be repaired are in used imported cars that entered the country from 2004.

“While some of these vehicles may be picked up through a WoF check, recall experience shows many may be parked up, or their owners may not respond for extended periods of time,” Faafoi says. “So, the message here is that it’s safer, in the long run, or before a vehicle is on-sold, to get a replacement now before a WoF check next year renders it un-roadworthy.”

The recall 20 months ago was part of a worldwide scheme to replace Takata Alpha airbags, which have caused injuries and fatalities overseas due to faulty deployment. 

Nearly 82,300 airbags have been identified for replacement in New Zealand and repairs have been managed by the six brands affected by the recall: Honda, BMW, Isuzu, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota (including Lexus).