TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL WIDENS

MORE than a million vehicles with potentially deadly Takata airbags have been added to a recall list by the consumer watchdog.

The defective airbags can shatter shards of metal upon activation if the propelling mechanism is exposed to high levels of moisture.

Twenty-three people around the world have died from the faulty airbags, including one in Sydney last year, with 230 others suffering serious injuries.

The ACCC yesterday published a revised recall list that added a further 1.1 million vehicles targeted for future airbag replacement, including the Mercedes Benz C Class, Ford Mondeo and Toyota Yaris.

An ACCC spokeswoman said about 2.8 million vehicles were under “active recall” at the end of April, meaning consumers had been or were being contacted. Of those, 1.9 million have already had their airbags replaced, leaving 900,000 yet to be completed.

The “future recall list” involves vehicles to undergo replacement some time from May 2018, which means there are about two million vehicles that haven’t had airbags replaced in total.

Drivers of vehicles involved in the “future recall” group will be notified by email, phone or text message when it is time for their replacement to be completed, Assistant Minister to the Treasurer Michael Sukkar said.

“My message to all Australian drivers is do not ignore or delay responding to a letter from your vehicle manufacturer asking you to have airbags replaced,” Mr Sukkar said.

“If you don’t have your car’s airbag replaced, you are taking a serious risk in terms of your safety.”

He urged customers who have difficulties or delays to contact the ACCC.