Vehicle recalls for defective Takata airbags are now a regular feature in the media. Manufacturers must do their bit to fix the problems but so must owners, as David Brown reports.
Motor vehicle recalls are increasing and the average number of vehicles in each recall is also increasing on the rise.
In America 30% of vehicles that have had a recall notification remain unrepaired. The percentage is worse for private cars and for older vehicles.
The ACCC web site lists cars with Takarta airbags including some built as far back as 1999.
The problem with Takarta airbags occurs through deterioration over time, especially in hot and humid conditions. The ACCC also has a list of some recent vehicles that will be issued a recall later this year.
Recent reports of dangerous airbag deployments have not always mentioned owner’s failure to promptly reply to a recall request.
David’s boyhood passion for motor cars did not immediately lead to a professional role in the motor industry. A qualified Civil Engineer he specialised in traffic engineering and transport planning.
What followed were various positions including being seconded to a government think-tank for the planning of transport firstly in Sydney and then for the whole of NSW. After working with the NRMA and as a consultant he moved to being an independent writer and commentator on the broader areas of transport and the more specific areas of the cars we drive.
His half hour motoring program “Overdrive” has been described as an “informed, humorous and irreverent look at motoring and transport from Australia and overseas”. It is heard on 22 stations across Australia. He does weekly interviews with several ABC radio stations and is also heard on commercial radio in Sydney.
David has written for metropolitan and regional newspapers and has presented regular segments on metropolitan and regional television stations. David is also a contributor for AnyAuto
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Takata Air bag recall
Takata Air bag recall
