About 35,000 vehicles in New Zealand with faulty airbags still haven't been repaired, prompting the Government to urge motorists to check if their vehicle has the Takata Alpha-type airbags that are being recalled.
The compulsory recall came into effect in April and data to the end of October shows there are still around 35,000 affected vehicles in New Zealand that are yet to be repaired, although almost 60 per cent have been repaired.
Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi says as many will be planning their summer trips now, and with higher crash rates than seen before in New Zealand, it’s more important than ever that all vehicles have safe airbags.
Consumers can check whether their vehicle has been affected by visiting rightcar.govt.nz and keying in their registration number.
RightCar tells consumers if their vehicle has an Alpha-type airbag that needs replacing and exactly what to do if that is the case.
If a vehicle is affected, consumers will get their Alpha airbags replaced at no cost, no matter if the vehicle was purchased privately, through a dealer, new or second-hand, Mr Faafoi said.
He's urging anyone who has received a letter from their car’s distributor to act on it immediately and get their airbags replaced.
Overseas there have been 23 known fatal cases of airbags exploding and sending fragments into the vehicle, Mr Faafoi said.
"While the risk of that happening in New Zealand is low due to less humidity in the air, which the airbags are more susceptible to, we need consumers to get on board to bring risk levels down, and keep our people safe," he said.
Of the 35,000 airbags outstanding to be repaired, 17,000 are in Auckland, prompting the minister to spent time in Mangere today raising awareness of the recall in the community.
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