Politics Pressure on to replace airbags
Could having a faulty Takata alpha-type airbag in your car soon prevent you from getting a warrant of fitness?
That is one possibility being considered by the Government to get unresponsive owners to take action.
Figures released last month showed that, as of the end of January this year, 67 per cent of vehicles affected by the mandatory recall for faulty Takata airbags have had replacements fitted, while 54 per cent of vehicles affected by the voluntary recall for the non-alpha airbags had also had work completed.
Used imported vehicles are lagging behind New Zealand new vehicles in both the mandatory recall for alpha-type airbags and the voluntary recall for the nonalpha airbags.
Just over 90 per cent of New Zealand new vehicles with alphatype airbags have been fixed, while used imported vehicles are sitting on just 60 per cent.
The voluntary recall for the non-alpha airbags has seen 75 per cent of New Zealand new vehicles repaired, while 34 per cent of used imported vehicles have been addressed.
According to the Motor Industry Association (MIA), the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ decision to make the alpha-type Takata airbag recall mandatory has significantly assisted the new car industry in addressing the issue, but while the organisation says that overall progress is tracking in the right direction, there is still work to be done. ‘‘We still need vehicle owners to respond to letters to bring their vehicle in to have the airbag replaced,’’ said David Crawford, chief executive of the MIA. ‘‘Some distributors have completed the process of writing three to four – or more – times to current vehicle owners and the NZ Transport Agency has now written to these people as well.
‘‘The NZTA letter has meant a significant number of those who have not responded to previous letters from distributors have now also brought their vehicles in for the airbags to be replaced.’’
Crawford said the letter, which was translated into seven different languages, had proven effective in getting a number of vehicle owners who previously had not responded, to get their vehicles fixed.
Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Kris Faafoi said that while the recall was progressing well and had been a huge achievement to date for the industry, consumer groups and government agencies that had worked together since the recall began, he was urging all parties to keep up their efforts.
‘‘With 27,000 vehicles still having these airbags, I don’t intend for there to be any complacency,’’ Faafoi said.
‘‘These alpha airbags are a priority because these are the airbags most at risk of malfunction and causing injury, so we will be stepping up efforts in the remainder of this year to get to these vehicles.’’
Faafoi acknowledged that the remaining cars will be the hardest to find and fix, whether it be from consumer complacency or a lack of awareness.
‘‘There are always people who are harder to reach and this can be for a variety of reasons,’’ said Faafoi. ‘‘I’d also acknowledge that we are asking people to take actions that aren’t always convenient – taking your car in for replacement airbag.
‘‘But it is my view that keeping families safe is a priority.’’
While parts availability of non-alpha airbags has been a problem for used imported vehicles, the MIA says that this is now less of an issue.
‘‘Parts availability for used imported vehicles is improving,’’ said Crawford. ‘‘Distributors have put in a huge amount of
effort to identify which used imported vehicles are caught and have ordered parts for these.’’
The Government is currently reviewing what actions should be taken in regards to owners who don’t respond to the latest letter, with the possibility of withholding a warrant of fitness included as a potential last resort.
According to a spokesperson from the NZTA, the agency is considering the option of preventing affected vehicles from being able to get a warrant of fitness when the mandatory recall has been completed.
‘‘I understand NZTA is considering the option,’’ said Faafoi.
‘‘No decision has yet been made but I would expect if we get to that stage all reasonable steps would be taken to minimise the impact to vulnerable consumers.’’
Faafoi said he had also asked officials, the industry and consumer groups to keep working on how they could reach people, with warrant of fitness inspectors being asked to check whether vehicles are under compulsory recall and to give their customers information if their cars are on the list. ‘‘We will keep working on this because I don’t want any New Zealanders at risk when we can take measures to avoid it.’’
‘‘These alpha airbags are a priority because these are the airbags most at risk of malfunction and causing injury.’’ Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Kris Faafoi