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Honda, Mitsubishi to buy back 42,000 ‘potentially deadly’ cars

Mitsubishi and Honda have announced plans to buy back cars with potentially deadly airbags. Image: Getty
Mitsubishi and Honda have announced plans to buy back cars with potentially deadly airbags. Image: Getty

Honda and Mitsubishi have offered to buy back 42,000 cars affected by an airbag safety recall, with drivers urged to check if their vehicle is affected.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the voluntary recall affects cars made between 1996 and 2000, and is occurring due to a “serious safety concern” with the cars’ faulty airbags.

The vehicles may have the “potentially deadly” Takata NADI 5-AT airbags, which have now seen 78,000 vehicles recalled.

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The airbags are dangerous due to the risk that they may mis-deploy during an accident, flinging metal fragments out of the bag at high speed and potentially causing injury or death.

“Two drivers have already died in Australia after their Takata NADI 5-AT airbags ruptured and propelled metal parts into the car interior,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said on Monday.

“We urge owners to check if their vehicle is affected by visiting the Product Safety Australia website or contacting their manufacturer.”

Toyota, Mazda and Suzuki announced similar buy back schemes earlier this month.

Buy-back offer

Mitsubishi will buy back affected cars at market value, and has also offered to provide alternative transport until the buy-back is finished.

Honda has a similar offer, and will buy back registered vehicles at the market price. It will also provide alternative transport options.

“Consumers should respond immediately when contacted by their manufacturer. Sometimes manufacturers will not have the latest contact information for the owners of these cars, so people who suspect their cars are affected should contact the manufacturer themselves,” Mr Sims said.

“These recalls by Honda and Mitsubishi are the final recalls in relation to the Takata NADI 5-AT airbags.”

The recalls follow similar recalls from BMW, Ford, Mazda, Audi, Suzuki and Toyota.

Vehicles that could be affected

These vehicles may also be affected by the faulty Takata NADI 5-AT airbag recall. Source: ACCC
These vehicles may also be affected by the faulty Takata NADI 5-AT airbag recall. Source: ACCC

These recalls are also separate to the compulsory recall of Takata airbags which has seen 100 million vehicles around the world marked as unsafe to use.

“Any consumer who is concerned about the response from their manufacturer or the remedy offered should contact the head office of their car maker. If consumers are still not satisfied, contact the Department or the ACCC,” Sims concluded.