Almost 1000 cars in the Illawarra are driving around with a fault that could kill the driver and passengers.
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The fault in question is the deadly Takata airbags, which have been responsible for more than 330 injuries and 30 deaths worldwide.
In Australia one person has died after an airbag deployed, and three people have been seriously injured.
A recall has been in place for several years, alerting motorists to the need to have the airbags replaced.
Despite this, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said there were still 809 vehicles in Wollongong with these deadly airbags still installed.
"These airbags are very dangerous and have the potential to explode with too much force, even in low speed accidents, sending sharp metal fragments into the vehicle at high speed, potentially killing or seriously injuring its occupants," ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
Across the state more than 26,000 cars still need to have the airbags replaced and around 90,000 nationwide.
One of the worst areas is western Sydney, around suburbs like Liverpool, Blacktown and Campbelltown, where more than 3000 of these vehicles are located.
Ms Rickard said Liverpool had the highest number of outstanding airbags in the country.
"Manufacturers have found it difficult to reach some drivers who may not have been as responsive to the warnings and notices sent to them, calls, text messages or in the case of critical vehicles, in person visits urging them to get their airbags replaced," Ms Rickard said.
There is also the risk that some vehicles will have their registration suspended until they have the airbag replaced - these are those cars with so-called "alpha" airbags - deemed "critical" under the global recall.
"Vehicles which contain a 'critical' airbag should not be driven at all," Ms Rickard said.
"Contact the manufacturer to arrange for it to be towed or a technician to be sent to you so the airbag can be replaced."
Under the recall, owners are entitled to have their faulty Takata airbags replaced free of charge.
Owners should check if their airbag is affected by entering their number plate and state or territory at ismyairbagsafe.com.au, or by texting 'TAKATA' to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224).
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Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
