Faulty airbags

What to do

Check to see if your NZnew vehicle has been recalled on www.recalls.govt.nz/airbags/ or find a list of usedimport models recalled in Japan on www.rightcar.govt.nz/airbagrecall. Drivers affected by the compulsory recall will get a letter from the manufacturer or importer when parts are available to fix their car. It will be fixed free of charge.

Consumer NZ advises owners of cars manufactured between 2001 and 2006 to contact the manufacturer or importer of usedimports and not to wait for a letter to arrive. The story so far

Airbags manufactured by the Japanese Takata company, fitted to about 100 million vehicles worldwide, are possibly defective. The airbag inflator can be affected by moisture and can deploy with explosive force in a crash. In the worst cases they have sent metal shards flying into the passenger cabin. The older alpha airbags, fitted to cars manufactured between 2001 and 2006, are more dangerous.

Makes affected: Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daihatsu, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Isuzu, Lexus, Mazda, MercedesBenz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen.

Faulty Takata airbags have caused a reported 23 deaths and more than 230 injuries worldwide.

The risk of failure is greatest if the car is in a hot and humid environment. New Zealand has a temperate climate, so failure here is less likely, even for the oldest airbags. No explosive deployments, injuries or fatalities have been reported in New Zealand.