More Australian cars recalled over air bag issues

The biggest car recall in history continues, with Honda and Chrysler announcing overnight that more vehicles could contain potentially deadly defects.

Overnight the Honda 2003-2006YM Honda MDX and 2001-2006YM Honda Accord models were added to the ever-growing list of vehicles recalled over problems with Takata-made airbags.

Chrysler has also expanded the number of its 300C series sedans affected.

Previously, only models built between 2003 and 2005 were included in the recall, but now those made between 2005 and 2010 will also need their airbags replaced.

The worldwide recall of vehicles has become the biggest in the history of the automotive industry and the scandal appears to continue to gather pace.

So far more than 600,000 cars on Australia’s roads are believed to contain the defective Takata airbags, which can fire shrapnel into cars when they deploy.

Although no deaths or injuries have been recorded in Australia, at least six deaths around the world have been attributed to the faulty safety devices.  More than 100 injuries have also been linked to airbag faults.

The problems with the Takata airbags became common knowledge last month, however, vehicles have been slowly called back to their dealers for much longer.

The Japan based Takata organisation has said as many as 53 million vehicles could be affected worldwide.

The total cost of the scandal has not yet been accurately calculated and more models could yet find their way onto the recall lists. It has even been suggested that some car owners may need to have their vehicles repaired multiple times.

In the US, fed up lawmakers have demanded answers from Takata as the scandal appears to continue with no end in sight.

Car owners have been warned not to attempt to repair or replace their airbags themselves and to contact their dealers should they require any further information.

Full list of Australian cars in Takata recall
BMW 3 Series - E46
Chrysler LE 300 MY - 2005-2010
Honda 2001 Honda Civic Sedan
Honda 2001-2002 Honda Accord Sedan and 02YM Honda CR-V - Airbag Inflator Module
Honda 01-02YM Honda Accord Sedan
Honda Civic, CR-V & Jazz Passenger Front Airbag Module
Honda Jazz
Honda MDX YM - 2003-2006
Honda Accord YM - 2001-2006
Honda Accord Euro, CR-V, Civic & Jazz Passengers (front) SRS Airbag Inflator
Honda Jazz & CR-V Drivers (front) SRS Airbag Inflator
Honda Various Honda Motor Vehicles
Mazda Mazda 6 (GG/GY) Passenger Vehicles
Mazda Mazda 6 (GG/GY) &RX-8 (FE) Airbags
Nissan N16 Pulsar &Y61 Patrol Front Passenger Air Bag
Nissan N16 Pulsar, D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol, X-Trail Airbag Inflator
Nissan N16 Pulsar, Y61 Patrol, D22 Navara, A33 Maxima and T30 X-Trail vehicles
Subaru - Subaru Model Year (MY) 2004-2007 Impreza Front Passenger Airbag
Toyota Corolla ZZE122 and Avensis Verso ACM20 Passenger-Side Front Airbag
Toyota Lexus SC430 Passenger-Side Front Airbag
Toyota Echo NCP1 - RAV4 ACA2
Toyota Corolla, Avensis Verso & Yaris Model Vehicles
Toyota ECHO & RAV4 Drivers Side Airbag Inflator