Faulty airbags being refitted

CAR companies have been refitting recalled vehicles with potentially deadly airbags that have killed at least 18 people around the world.

A Choice investigation has found Toyota, Mazda, BMW, Lexus and Subaru have admitted refitting Takata airbags with identical replacements, while other manufacturers had not shared information.

The mechanism becomes faulty after the airbag has aged, with Toyota saying replacement airbags would be safe for “a number of years” before having to be recalled again.

Choice’s report follows the recent death of a NSW man after his Honda CR-V’s airbag ruptured in a crash and he was hit in the neck by debris.

Japan’s Takata Corporation last month filed for bankruptcy amid the world’s largest automotive product recall.

Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey said consumers had to understand the severity of the problem, with many motorists effectively “driving around with an improvised explosive device”.

“The scale and severity of this recall is terrifying,” he said.

Choice is concerned some car owners were told by dealers to wait more than six months for a repair. It said several car companies had refitted some recalled vehicles with like-for-like Takata airbags.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims said there had been problems sourcing stock and suppliers given the scale of the airbag recall.

“All drivers need to check whether their car’s airbag has been recalled by visiting www. productsafety. gov. au,” Mr Sims said.

NSW Police said the death of a man on July 13 was likely caused by a fault in his Honda CR-V’s airbag, which was subject to the worldwide recall.

A Honda Australia spokesman said the company was working with investigators.