Car manufacturers want farmers to check all vehicles on their farms to see if they are affected by the Takata airbag recall.
“Many of these vehicles will be used by farmers and their families travelling long distances every day,” Mr Weber said.
“Others may be older farm vehicles that are only be used from time to time.”
A wide range of passenger cars, light trucks and vans from 24 popular brands are affected by the recall.
There are currently 734,000 vehicles still requiring faulty airbags to be replaced.
“We acknowledge that recalls can be very inconvenient for the farming community given the distances and time taken with trips to town,” Mr Weber said.
“But we need to be frank. A faulty airbag can seriously injure and even kill.”
Globally, there have been 26 reported deaths and more than 300 reported injuries attributed to the faulty airbags.
“A faulty airbag can pose a serious danger to vehicle passengers as well as drivers. This includes children regardless of whether they are sitting in the front or the back of a vehicle.
“We have a very simple message for the farming community. Check your car, check your ute, check your four-wheel-drive, check your van. Ask your neighbours and friends if they have checked. No vehicle is too old for checking and all necessary rectification work is free.”
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber says thousands of older vehicles on Australian farms could be affected by the recall.
Mr Weber said car manufacturers were keen to work closely with the farming community to locate and rectify affected vehicles.
He urged farmers to check the recall status of their vehicles by using the automotive industry’s Takata Airbag recall website Ismyairbagsafe.com.au and by also taking prompt action to arrange for the rectification of any affected vehicles.
“The farming community can help us to help them by alerting car manufacturers to where many of the older vehicles involved are located.
“It’s a simple process – just go to the website and enter your vehicle’s registration and state or territory. You can also check by texting TAKATA to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224),” Mr Weber said.
Car manufacturers have rectified faulty airbags in 2.1 million vehicles. This includes 730,000 vehicles since the industry website was launched in July 2018.
For more information contact:
Lenore Fletcher
Director Communications and Emerging Technologies FCAI
0408 320 797
[email protected]
www.fcai.com.au