FCAI: 6 million vehicle checks made on Takata lookup tool

Australia's Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has announced an average of 32,000 vehicles have been checked a day on its Takata recall lookup website, six months since it was launched.

Tony Weber, chief executive for the FCAI said: "This is an excellent response to a major public safety campaign. We passed the six million inquiry mark at the weekend".

"There has been an average of more than 32,000 vehicle checks made every day since the website was launched six months ago."

Weber added that the industry has repaired nearly two-thirds of the 3 million vehicles affected by the national safety recall.

"They are doing everything they can to reach out to owners of affected vehicles – every working day, they are writing, telephoning, emailing and door-knocking," he said of vehicle manufacturers.

While the FCAI is praising owners and manufacturers who have already got the job done, Weber urged owners of vehicles that haven't been rectified to do so as soon as possible, either by using www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au or texting the word 'TAKATA' to 0487 247 224 to check the recall status of their vehicle.

The Takata airbag recall affects more than 100 million vehicles and nearly 20 automotive brands around the world.

Globally, there have been 20 deaths linked to the scandal, and 230 serious injuries. One Australian motorist lost their life to a faulty Takata airbag in July 2017, one month after another Australian driver was seriously injured.

In February 2018, the recall of vehicles affected by the faulty Takata airbags was made compulsory under law, with affected manufacturers required to replace all defective airbags by the end of 2020. The ACCC earlier this year added some 1.1 million vehicles to the compulsory recall.

According to the Australian Government, the risk of a defective Takata airbag rupturing may arise between 6 and 25 years after it is installed in a vehicle. In areas of high heat and humidity, the risk of rupture may arise between 6 and 9 years.

Concerned owners can check if their vehicle needs a new inflator at www.IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au.

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