Australians taking to the roads this holiday season should urgently check the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Product Safety website to see whether their vehicles are fitted with a defective Takata airbag, according to Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack.

“There are approximately 2.3 million cars on our roads with potentially faulty Takata airbags, including around 43,000 containing the ‘alpha’ type inflator which has a high risk of causing injury from misdeployment,”Mr McCormack explained.

“Do not drive your vehicle if it has an ‘alpha’ airbag inflator; instead call your dealership to arrange a replacement which will be completed free of charge.”

The ACCC’s Takata Taskforce found airbags made by the company without a desiccant (or drying agent) or with a calcium sulphate desiccant have a design flaw which can cause serious injury or death to vehicle occupants when the inflator misfires.

“Tragically, a number of deaths and injuries have been linked to faulty Takata airbags both here in Australia and internationally,” Mr McCormack said.

“I urge all drivers to check their vehicle via the Product Safety website before getting on the road this holiday season.”

The Takata recall affects more than 100 million vehicles worldwide; with the misdeployment of Takata airbags alleged to have been associated with 19 deaths globally, including one in Australia, and at least 200 injuries.

The latest list of cars, motorcycles and trucks affected is available on the Product Safety website.