The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is warning Australian consumers about a new safety risk in using certain vehicles fitted with a different type of faulty Takata airbag. These airbags, which are fitted with a NADI 5-AT propellant, are not captured under the existing compulsory recall of Takata airbags. 

There is a serious safety risk that these NADI airbags may misdeploy in an accident, which may cause metal fragments to propel out of the airbag at high speed, causing serious injuries or death to vehicle occupants. There is also a risk that these airbags may under-inflate. 

Audi and BMW have already started voluntary recalls of affected vehicles, and the ACCC calls on other suppliers to take urgent action to address the safety risk to consumers.

About 78,000 vehicles manufactured by Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Toyota between 1996 and 2000 and fitted with the faulty airbags with NADI 5-AT inflators were supplied in Australia. While it is expected that many of these vehicles will no longer be in use, a substantial number of affected vehicles are likely to be still registered and still in use. 

Safety authorities in Australia have received reports of three incidents involving suspected misdeployments of these airbags in Australia. There has been a serious injury and a fatality in separate accidents involving BMW vehicles, and another serious injury resulting from an accident involving another vehicle.

Recognising the serious safety risk, BMW already commenced a voluntary recall of its affected vehicles, including offering hire cars and buying back vehicles, and recommending that consumers do not drive their vehicle. Audi also initiated a new voluntary recall of its affected vehicles.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development, supported by the ACCC, has been in discussions with representatives of Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Toyota since November to finalise satisfactory terms of voluntary recalls by these suppliers.

The Department and the ACCC are continuing to negotiate with these suppliers to finalise all voluntary recalls as soon as possible.

Drivers of affected vehicles should be aware of the serious safety risk they face if they have an affected car and consider other transport options.

Check if your vehicle is affected by looking at the Product Safety Australia website. 

Drivers who have previously checked www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au to see if their airbag is affected by the compulsory recall of the different type of Takata airbag, should also check this new link.

If you have an affected vehicle:

• check if your vehicle is under recall: BMW and Audi vehicles are now subject to recall, and you should respond to the recall urgently
• if your vehicle is not yet under recall, contact your vehicle manufacturer to arrange to check if your car is affected
• consider borrowing a car from family or friends if possible, or using alternative transport options

In addition, Audi, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Toyota have all agreed to consider providing urgent short-term assistance for consumers who are experiencing significant hardship over the Christmas period as a result of this safety warning. Consumers who wish to seek this hardship assistance should contact the vehicle manufacturer’s head office.

BMW owners can contact BMW to arrange for their vehicle to be towed for inspection.