Honda pleading for Takata-affected owners to come in: 94,000 cars to go
Honda Australia is once again pleading with customers to get vehicles fitted with potentially-lethal Takata airbags repaired as soon as possible.
Despite a repair rate of 81 per cent across the nation, the Japanese manufacturer says there are still 94,325 of its cars Down Under that are in need of a repair.
Many owners have been subject to between two and eight recall letters, with Honda Australia reporting that over 1 million pieces of communication have been sent to affected owners in the form of text messages and written letters.
In an effort to further illustrate the dangers of the faulty airbag inflators, the company has issued a more graphic letter to customers with the title: “Choosing Not to Act Could Be Deadly”.
Three images are shown displaying the potential risks of abnormal airbag deployment, including a puncture hole in the front headrest and the vehicle’s roof as a result of metal fragments shooting out of the faulty inflator.
“As we continue to address the Takata recall, we hope this more graphic imagery will highlight to customers the importance of having their affected vehicles repaired,” said Stephen Collins, director of Honda Australia.
“We encourage all Australians, if they have a friend or family member who owns a Honda vehicle, to urge them to jump on the Honda Australia website to check if their vehicle is affected. If their vehicle has been recalled they must act on it, even if they don’t service with us. All repairs will be done free of charge.”
“Given the widespread media focus on this situation, there’s no reason for customers to ignore the efforts by Honda to complete this recall,” Mr. Collins said. “It is our priority to address this situation right across Australia,” he added.
Currently, the company is in the process of completing repairs for customers in Mt Isa, Queensland, with two technicians from Honda’s Brisbane office completing the recall work.
Meanwhile, a similar program is underway in Western Australia for customers in Kununurra, Exmouth, Karratha, Port Hedland, Broome, Newman, Esperance and Tom Price. Repairs are also underway in Northern Territory’s Tennant Creek.
Honda is also targeting far-reach towns like Whyalla and Broken Hill, and there are plans to commence work in Port Augusta, Port Pirie and Port Lincoln in South Australia in South Australia from November.
Vehicles on Thursday Island, north of Cape York, are also earmarked for repair work in the coming months.
According to the company’s statistics, 527,408 airbag repairs have been completed so far, with a further 122,971 inflators requiring work – representing an 81 per cent completion rate.
Honda says dealers are completing up to 7000 inflator repairs per week, peaking at 9000 in one week with some dealers staying open on Saturdays to repair vehicles.
If you think your Honda is affected by the Takata airbag recall, you can check via Honda’s website using your vehicle’s VIN number. Customers can also contact 1800 789 839.
Faulty Takata airbags have been linked to 19 deaths globally, including one in Australia, along with some 200 injuries. While 12 manufacturers have already issued recall notices for around 2.5 million vehicles in Australia, the government wants further action to be taken.
The tally of affected vehicles worldwide now exceeds 100 million units.
Last month the Australian Federal Government proposed a compulsory recall for all vehicles fitted with the potentially life-threatening inflators, following an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
The faulty airbags use ammonium nitrate to inflate. Without a moisture-absorbing desiccant, the chemical compound degrades when exposed to humidity and moisture over time. When deployed, the burning ammonium nitrate could potentially explode its degraded container, which then becomes a projectile.
The following lists the vehicles recalled in Australia over the Takata airbag issue, as of April 2017. It’s worth noting that some vehicles inside the date ranges listed below are not affected by the recalls.
| Make & model | Year Range |
| BMW 3 Series E46 | 1999-2006 |
| BMW 5 Series E39, 3 Series E46, X5 E53 | 2002-2005 |
| BMW 5 series E39, 3 Series E46, X5 E53 | |
| Chrysler 300(LE/LX) | 2005-2012 |
| Chrysler 300C | 2005-2010 |
| Dodge RAM | 2004-2010 |
| Ferrari 458, California, FF | 2008-2011 |
| Ford Mustang | 2006-2014 |
| Honda Accord/CRV | 2001-2002 |
| Honda Civic | 2001 |
| Honda Accord | 2001-2002 |
| Honda Civic, CR-V, Jazz | 2001-2003 |
| Honda Jazz | 2004 |
| Honda Accord, CR-V, Civic, Jazz | 2003-2004 |
| Honda Accord Euro, CR-V, Civic, Jazz | 2002-2009 |
| Honda Jazz, CR-V | 2005-2007 |
| Honda MDX, Accord | 2001-2006 |
| Honda City, CR-V, Insight, Jazz | 2006-2012 |
| Honda City, CR-V, Insight, Jazz | 2011-2014 |
| Honda Civic, Legend, Jazz | 2006-2012 |
| Honda Accord Euro, City, CR-V, Jazz, Insight | 2007-2011 |
| Honda Legend, Odyssey, Accord, MDX | 2003-2011 |
| Honda Civic, Accord | 2006-2011 |
| Jeep Wrangler JK | 2007-2012 |
| Lexus SC430 | 2000-2003 |
| Lexus IS 250, IS 250C, 350, IS F | 2005-2011 |
| Lexus IS 250, IS 350, IS 250C, IS-F, LFA | 2011-2012 |
| Mazda 2, B Series, BT-50 | 2006-2011 |
| Mazda 2, RX-8 | 2003-2014 |
| Mazda 6 | 2002-2003 |
| Mazda 6, RX-8 | 2002-2004 |
| Mazda 6 | 2005-2007 |
| Mazda 6 | 2006-2009 |
| Mazda 6, RX-8, B2500 ute/cab chassis, B2600 ute/cab chassis, BT-50 | 2002-2011 |
| Mitsubishi GA & GB i-MiEV | 2010-2011 |
| Mitsubishi Lancer | 2003-2008 |
| Mitsubishi ML & MN Triton | 2007-2014 |
| Mitsubishi Pajero NS, NT, NW, NX | 2007-2016 |
| Mitsubishi Pajero NS & NT | 2006-2009 |
| Nissan N16 Pulsar, Y61 Patrol | 2001 |
| Nissan N16 Pulsar, Y61 Patrol | |
| Nissan N16 Pulsar, Y61 Patrol, D22 Navara, T30 X-Trail | 2000-2004 |
| Nissan N16 Pulsar, D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol, T30 X-Trail, A33 maxima | 2001-2003 |
| Nissan N16 Pulsar, D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol, T30 X-Trail, J31 maxima | 2003 |
| Nissan N16 Pulsar, D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol, T30 X-Trail, J31 maxima | 2004-2007 |
| Nissan D22 Navara, T30 X-Trail, J31 Maxima | 2007-2008 |
| Nissan D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol | 2009-2012 |
| Nissan D40 Navara | 2008-2014 |
| Nissan Tiida | 2006-2012 |
| Performax Silverado, Sierra, Mustang | 2007-2008 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2004-2007 |
| Subaru Impreza, Forester | 2008-2009 |
| Subaru Tribeca, Liberty, Outback | 2004-2009 |
| Toyota Corolla, Avensis Verso | 2000-2004 |
| Toyota Echo, Rav 4 | 2002-2003 |
| Toyota Corolla, Avensis Verso, Yaris | 2003-2007 |
| Toyota Corolla, Yaris, Avensis Verso | 2006-2011 |
| Toyota Corolla, Yaris & Rukus | 2010-2012 |
| Toyota Avensis Verso, Yaris | 2007-2008 |
| Toyota Echo, Rav 4 | 2003-2005 |
| Toyota Echo, Rav 4 | 2002-2003 |
The Australian government (ACCC) has set up a Takata recalls info page, too. LINK HERE
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