Watchdog in fresh push on faulty airbags rectification

THOUSANDS of Australian cars and trucks require “critical” repair as the consumer watchdog makes a fresh push in its recall of potentially deadly Takata airbags.

Defective airbag inflators are still to be replaced in more than 730,000 vehicles, including 180,000 Holdens and 97,000 Toyotas, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said.

Of gravest concern are the 8800 vehicles with the alpha airbag and more than 3000 others deemed “critically requiring repair”, ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said. The alpha airbag can have up to a 50 per cent chance of misdeployment if triggered in an accident.

“These cars pose a serious and heightened safety risk and should not be driven,” Ms Rickard said.

All 2.8 million vehicles fitted with Takata airbags need replacing by December 2020.