Takata airbag repairs go on despite virus

Car manufacturers in Australia have reminded vehicle owners that dealerships are open and ready to complete the rectification of faulty Takata airbags.

Tony Weber, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), says: “We understand this is a stressful time in our community, but we can’t afford to lose sight of the safety of our cars especially when private transport has now become so important. Owners should not delay or will risk the safety of themselves and their passengers.”

Australians have made more than 10.1 million checks on the automotive industry’s Takata airbag recall website, www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au, and about 1.6m have been equipped with faulty inflators.

Weber adds the automotive industry has rectified more than 2.59m vehicles affected by the Takata call-back. A further 206,840 have been identified as unreplaceable. This represents the processing of more than 91 per cent of vehicles affected by the compulsory national recall across the Tasman.