Mercedes Chastised Over Failure To Initiate Recall On Takata Airbags For Models

The ACCC, an Australian consumer watchdog group, has chastised a Mercedes for intentionally failing to call back specific models produced with faulty Takata airbags.

According to a statement given on Tuesday by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Mercedes delayed and failed in complying with a recall affecting cars fitted with Takata airbags.

In the automotive industry, there have been several significant car recalls, but the global recall of the Takata airbags may be the largest ever done.

Analysts have estimated that more than forty million cars could be affected in the U.S.

There have been twenty-nine fatalities and three hundred and fifty injuries reported worldwide due to the faulty Takata airbags.

In 2018, twenty thousand Australian drivers were cautioned to stop using their cars since they had the faulty airbags that could lead to severe injuries or fatal accidents as the airbag would fire shrapnel when it activated during a collision.

During the period of June-up to-December 2018, the ACCC stated Mercedes continued production even as some of their C-class and E-class models had the potentially dangerous faulty airbag.

The consumer watchdog said Mercedes Benz, failing to act on the Takata airbag recall, had put the lives of drivers and passengers in danger.

Delia Rickard, the ACCC Deputy-Chair, said Mercedes also did not inform anyone about any forecasted delays in conducting the compulsory recall.

The ACCC statement stated that one of the reasons given by Mercedes Benz for the faulty airbag use was the lack of spare parts.

Mercedes Benz had agreed to comply with the court issued orders to recall the affected cars from the roads as soon as possible.

In a statement on Tuesday, the manufacturer said that they would look after car owners who will be affected by the recall.

Mercedes claimed they would work out alternative transportation, or they will make available hire cars to those people who would have to wait more than two weeks to get their airbags replaced.

A vast majority of the cars that will be affected by the recall are in Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, and Northern Territory markets.

The recall affects cars that are six years to nine years old. Other brands like Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, BMW, Lexus, Volkswagen, Ford, Subaru, and other models are also affected by the faulty Takata airbag recall.

A full listing of the recalled vehicles with information about model types and manufacturing dates can be found online.