Queensland Says Rego Canceled if Airbags Not Replaced

Airbags Defect notices will be issued, and registration canceled if Takata Airbags are not replaced.

Governments around the world could act similarly.

The Queensland Government is showing strong and courageous leadership on airbags by issuing Defect Notices to owners of over 2,000 vehicles fitted with dangerous ‘alpha’ type Takata airbags says Australia’s peak motor industry body.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) welcomes the move, which could lead to the cancellation of registration if ‘alpha’ Takata airbags are not replaced within 21 days.

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FCA Chief Executive Tony Weber noted that the decision is an effective response in the interests of the safety of motorists and passengers across Queensland.

“We applaud the Palaszczuk Government for acting so decisively on this important public safety issue,” Mr Weber said.

“The industry has been doing its absolute utmost to raise awareness of this serious public safety issue across Australia, urging people to take action and check whether their vehicles’ airbags are affected.

“For ‘alpha’ Takata airbags, which pose the greatest risk, state and territory registration agencies can greatly assist the industry’s efforts to remove these vehicles from the road for rectification,” Mr Weber added.

Queensland’s decision builds on moves in South Australia, and soon in Tasmania, to refuse vehicle registration to affected vehicles.

“This is another example of courage and leadership that should also be adopted by other states and territories. Preventing people from simply re-registering these vehicles enormously reduces the risk to the community,” Mr Weber said.

The FCAI urged motorists to follow up and act on the information available via the website IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au, or the Facebook page (IsMyAirBagSafe).

Car owners can simply enter their plate and state into the website’s online tool and receive an immediate response about their airbag status.

Failure to replace airbags could injure or kill and urgent action should be the top priority. Owners should remember it is not only them who travel in their cars. They are responsible if a passenger is injured.