The waiting time to replace dangerous airbags seems to depend on the car maker.
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While some car makers are reporting wait times, others have said they have airbags ready and waiting to go.
A Honda spokesman said waiting times largely depended on the dealer.
“Honda Australia is currently repairing up to 5000 airbag inflators a week across the national dealer network of 107,” the spokesman said.
“No other manufacturer is replacing inflators at the rate that Honda Australia is doing.”
He said Honda had completed 70 per cent of all repairs.
A Nissan spokesman said they had no waiting list for replacement airbags.
“Airbags are available for all customers who have received a letter asking them to book their car in for repairs,” the spokesman said.
THE FACTS ABOUT THE AIRBAG RECALL
What is the problem with the airbags?
Manufactured by Japanese company Takata, the problem relates to the ammonium nitrate compound used to inflate the airbag.
The compound degrades when affected by moisture and can burn aggressively during airbag deployment, causing the potential for the metal canister holding it to explode and spray out shards of metal.
Is it only the passenger-side airbag that is affected?
No. Some of the makes in the recall – including Honda, Chrysler and Toyota – have some models where the driver’s airbag is affected.
Are companies being forced to replace the airbags?
No, the Australian Consumer and Consumer Commission stresses that this is a voluntary recall. The ACCC says this means “there is no obligation on manufacturers to recall vehicles with Takata airbags”.
“Vehicle manufacturers and their Australian representatives are not obliged to recall their vehicles and the recalls are not evidence that any particular vehicle is unsafe,” the ACCC said.
How many cars are affected?
Estimates place the total figure at around 100 million worldwide, and 2.3 million in Australia. The ACCC believes more vehicles will be added to the recall.
Are some car makers replacing the faulty airbags with a new version of the same airbag?
Yes. Choice magazine has reported that Toyota, Mazda, BMW, Lexus and Subaru have admitted doing this, while other manufacturers declined to respond to questions.
Choice says this move is designed as a short-term solution, replacing older bags with newer versions that are less likely to have a “defective deployment”.
These airbags too will have to be recalled again in around six years.
Has there been any deaths related to the faulty airbags?
Yes. Eighteen deaths worldwide have been linked to the airbags. One of these was in the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta, where a 58-year-old man died after his airbag deployed in a crash.
A police spokesman said the driver died after he was “struck in the neck by a small fragment”.
Choice has reported more than 180 people worldwide have been injured. The first reported case of injury in Australia occurred in April this year, when a Darwin woman was hit in the head by a piece of metal when her airbag deployed.
If my car is affected, what should I do?
“Our advice to consumers is not to panic, but to visit the Product Safety Australia website to see if their car is affected by the recall and if it is, to contact their car’s manufacturer immediately.” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.