The Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, the Hon Michael Sukkar, issued a compulsory recall on 27 February 2018 for all vehicles with defective Takata airbags, following an ACCC safety investigation.
Injuries and fatalities occurred in Australia and internationally involving Takata airbags. This includes both driver and passenger airbags, and alpha and non-alpha airbags.
The Takata airbag recall is the world’s largest automotive recall, affecting an estimated 100 million vehicles globally.
It is also the most significant compulsory recall in Australia’s history, with over four million affected Takata airbag inflators and involving more than three million vehicle recalls.
The compulsory recall required suppliers to account for 100% of affected vehicles by 31 December 2020, unless the ACCC had agreed to an extension.
After 31 December 2020, suppliers have ongoing obligations to replace affected airbags. If a consumer has not yet sought a replacement airbag during the operation of the recall, they should still contact their vehicle manufacturer for a free replacement.
Most of the affected vehicles have been accounted for, but there are still some vehicles in circulation.