Deadly Takata airbag risk remains
Drivers of more than 3,400 cars are putting themselves and others at risk as the vehicles are still fitted with potentially fatal Takata Alpha airbags.
The NZTA says since a compulsory safety recall in April 2018 more than 78,000 vehicles have had the faulty devices replaced. However, it means thousands of cars are still out there in need of essential repairs.
About 82,000 New Zealand-new and used vehicles were fitted with the Takata airbags, which under the recall need to have been fixed by the end of March 2021 or they will no longer be able to be used legally on our roads.
Those vehicles still carrying Alpha airbags – 3,402 as of September 21 – will be unable to attain a new Warrant of Fitness (WOF) until the devices have been replaced, a NZTA spokesman says.
BMW, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota are all affected by the recall and will replace the airbags free of charge, reports the New Zealand Herald.
Owners can check their registration plate on the Rightcar website to see if their vehicle is among those affected.
The NZTA spokesman urged any motorists with the Alpha airbags in their cars to contact their manufacturer immediately and arrange for replacement work to be carried out.
To date, there have been no serious injuries or deaths here related to the Takata Alpha airbags.
