Vehicle recalls are no reason to panic, says AA

Vehicle recalls are no reason to panic, says AA

Faulty airbags supplied by Japanese automotive part supplier Takata are likely to affect a number of Japanese car models, with Toyota and Nissan having issued vehicle recalls globally and with the probability that others will follow.

While there have been no reported instances of the faulty airbags causing injury in New Zealand, 26,050 Toyota Corolla, Yaris, RAV4 and Picnic models are affected, ranging between 2001 and 2007, depending on model. Numbers and types of Nissan vehicles are unknown at this stage.

AA Motoring Advice Manager Andrew Bayliss says that despite the very small risk, any safety related defect must be treated seriously, but there is no need to panic.

“Manufacturers have a robust process in place and having identified the defect, will contact vehicle owners that are affected to fix the problem,” Mr Bayliss says.

“Given the numbers of vehicles affected, it’s unlikely that parts will be available immediately, so vehicle owners should wait until contacted by the manufacturer,” he said.

The latest fault is thought to relate to abnormal deployment of the driver’s or front seat passenger’s airbag in the event of a crash. It is thought to be unrelated to recalls by Takata airbags last year where an airbag retaining ring could potentially rupture during deployment, sending shards of metal flying.

ENDS

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