1. What is a Takata airbag?
Takata airbags (including alpha airbags) were installed in some vehicles supplied in Australia by BMW, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota between 2001 and 2004. These airbags have been recalled by the Australian Government.
The airbags pose a safety risk because they have been shown to rupture more frequently. The airbag may deploy with too much explosive force, causing sharp metal fragments to shoot out and kill or seriously injure vehicle occupants.
There have been more than 29 deaths reported worldwide and over 320 reported injuries due to these faulty airbags. For more information about the Takata airbag recalls, visit the Product Safety website (External link).
2. How can I get my Takata airbag replaced?
The manufacturer will arrange towing free of charge to complete the replacement or organise the replacement to be completed on site if a safe work location is available.
The replacement service is free and the manufacturer must replace your airbag within three weeks of your request. If the replacement takes more than 24 hours, your manufacturer must provide you with alternative transport such as a loan or hire car upon request.
Contact your vehicle manufacturer to book in your free replacement:
If you require a translation service, an interpreter, see Translations.
3. What does the replacement cost and how long will it take?
Your vehicle manufacturer must replace your alpha airbag within three weeks of your request. The replacement is free. Your vehicle manufacturer must:
- offer to arrange for your vehicle to be towed or for a technician to come to you to perform the replacement, subject to a safe work location
- if the airbag replacement will take longer than 24 hours, they must provide you with alternative transportation such as a loan or hire vehicle upon request.
4. What happens if I don’t have the car that is fitted with Takata airbags anymore?
If you have sold the vehicle that is affected by the Takata airbag recall, please email the contact details of the purchaser to [email protected]
5. I’ve booked my replacement, which will occur within three weeks of my request but after the VicRoads registration suspension date. What do I do?
Please email [email protected]. We will extend your registration suspension date.
6. What evidence do I need to give to VicRoads to show that I’ve had my airbag replaced? How do I provide this evidence?
The authorised brand dealer who replaces your airbag will give you a document such as an invoice or repair order.
You will need to provide this document to us by email or post:
Email: [email protected]
Post: VicRoads, Takata Recall
GPO Box 1644
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
7. I had the airbag replaced before I received a letter from VicRoads. Why did I get this letter?
You may have replaced your Takata airbag after the date when your vehicle manufacturer forwarded your vehicle identification number to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Check the recall status of your vehicle on your vehicle manufacturer’s website or visit IsMyAirbagSafe (External link) to confirm that your airbag has been replaced, then email us at [email protected].
If your vehicle manufacturer’s website is incorrect, contact your vehicle manufacturer. If the issue is not resolved, you can report it to us by sending an email to the address listed above.
8. In the letter from VicRoads, you say that the vehicle manufacturer has made contact with me. This hasn’t happened.
Under the Australian Government’s compulsory recall for Takata airbags, your vehicle manufacturer was required to contact you by:
- letter, registered post or other personal courier service; and
- an in-person visit.
Vehicle manufacturers also launched a national advertising campaign on 30 July 2018.
If you haven’t received these notifications, it’s important that you let your vehicle manufacturer know so they can update your details in their system.
The letter from VicRoads also gives you the information you need to get your Takata airbag replaced so that you and other people who use your vehicle are safe.
9. What impact will this recall have on my insurance?
The Takata airbag recall does not automatically make an affected vehicle unroadworthy or ineligible for registration. However, VicRoads may refuse to register a vehicle if it has an alpha airbag and the registered owner fails to respond to multiple recall notifications from the vehicle manufacturer to arrange a replacement. Contact VicRoads for further information about registration of an affected vehicle.
For details about whether your insurance is affected, visit the Product Safety website (External link).
10. Where can I find out more information?
For more information about the Takata airbag recall, visit the Product Safety website (External link).