The global Takata airbag recall campaign continues to impact the automotive industry, with Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Honda announcing a significant recall of grey-imported vehicles in Australia. This latest action aims to replace potentially dangerous airbag inflators in vehicles that were not officially imported by these manufacturers.
Recall Details
- Toyota: 703 vehicles affected, including models such as Caldina, Celica, Corolla, MR2, RAV4, Supra, and Vitz
- Mitsubishi: 1,884 vehicles affected, including Delica, FTO, Pajero, and RVR models
- Honda: 16 vehicles affected, including Accord, Civic, CR-V, Integra, Legend, and Logo models
All affected vehicles were produced between 1996 and 1999.
Safety Concerns
The recalled vehicles may be fitted with the Takata NADI 5-AT driver airbag inflator, which could allow moisture to enter the unit and degrade the airbag propellant. This degradation could lead to:
- Mis-deployment of the airbag during a collision
- Rupture of the inflator, causing metal fragments to enter the vehicle cabin
- Slow deployment, failing to protect the driver as intended
Manufacturer Response
Despite not importing these vehicles themselves, the manufacturers have taken responsibility for the recalls:
- Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Honda are offering free repairs
- Owners are urged to stop driving their vehicles immediately and contact their respective brand's dealership or customer service
Challenges
The recall faces several challenges:
- Locating current owners of these older vehicles
- The potentially high cost of the recall for the manufacturers
- Complexity of airbag replacement and disposal
This recall demonstrates the ongoing impact of the Takata airbag issue and the automotive industry's commitment to addressing safety concerns, even for vehicles not officially imported.
