Date published
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
COMPETITION AND CONSUMER ACT 2010
Safety Warning Notice to Public
Pursuant to paragraphs 129(1)(a) and 129(1)(b) of Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, I, Michael McCormack, Minister for Small Business:
(a) state that motor vehicles containing Takata airbags are under investigation to determine whether those goods will or may cause injury to any person, or a reasonably foreseeable use (including a misuse) of those goods, will or may cause injury to any person; and
(b) warn of possible risks involved in the use of those goods.
Warning
Pursuant to s129(1)(b), the Minister warns of the possible risks involved in the use of motor vehicles containing Takata airbags supplied in Australia.
This Safety Warning has been issued because there have been serious injuries and deaths caused by faulty Takata airbags installed in motor vehicles, both in Australia and overseas.
The inflator components in Takata airbags may deteriorate and subsequently misdeploy in an incident, with the result that metal fragments from the inflator housing may propel out of the airbag, causing injury or death to the drivers/riders or passengers.
Investigation
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is investigating whether motor vehicles containing a Takata airbag will or may cause injury to any person, or a reasonably foreseeable use (or misuse) of those goods will or may cause injury to any person.
Advice to consumers
1. Consumers are strongly urged to check whether their vehicles are included in a product safety recall by checking the list below, checking the Product Safety Australia website at www.productsafety.gov.au or contacting a dealership or the vehicle manufacturer.
2. Most of the recalls have lists of affected Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) or tables of affected VIN ranges attached. The VIN is a 17-digit alphanumeric that is unique to each vehicle. If you need assistance locating the VIN on your vehicle, contact a dealership or the vehicle manufacturer.
3. If a vehicle is included as part of a product safety recall, consumers should, as a matter of urgency, contact a dealership to arrange remediation in accordance with the advice in the relevant product safety recall notice.
See: Motor vehicles containing Takata airbags which are currently subject to a product safety recall.
Dated this day of August 2017
MICHAEL MCCORMACK
Minister for Small Business