Car manufacturers have launched a major advertising campaign warning vehicle owners to check their cars for faulty Takata airbags, or risk their lives – as well as risking the registration of their vehicles.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries’ (FCAI) new campaign warns vehicle owners that their lives and the registration of their vehicles are at risk if they don’t have faulty Takata airbags promptly rectified.
FCAI chief executive, Tony Weber, said the new advertising campaign features an updated creative theme which first aired in May on social media. The campaign will be expanded in mid-June to include television and radio advertising throughout Australia.
“Automotive manufacturers have made tremendous progress in replacing faulty Takata airbags, with more than 2.64 million vehicles rectified,” Mr Weber said.
“Our communications have worked really well and more than 10.34 million vehicles have been checked on the industry’s website www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au.”
“However, there are still more than 195,000 vehicles in Australia fitted with faulty Takata airbags.
“The owners of these vehicles need to understand the risks they are taking by ignoring repeated manufacturer requests to have faulty airbags replaced,” Mr Weber said.
“Firstly, owners and their passengers risk death or serious injury every time they travel in a vehicle with a faulty Takata airbag. Secondly, State and Territory governments are now refusing to register many un-rectified vehicles.”
Mr Weber said it was alarming that some vehicle owners still failed to have faulty airbags replaced. “Vehicle owners should promptly check their vehicles on the industry website www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au and immediately arrange for the free rectification of any affected vehicles.
“It’s a very simple process. Just go to the website and enter your vehicle’s registration number and state or territory. You can also check by texting TAKATA to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224),” Mr Weber said.
