The controversial Takata airbag problems have arisen again in the Australian truck industry with Hino announcing today that it has issued a new voluntary safety recall on certain 300 Series models produced between January 2013 and December 2013 which contain faulty Takata passenger airbags.
The latest recall is in addition to the 2841 300 Series models produced between July 2011 and December 2012 that were recalled in April 2017 for the same issue.
Hino says replacement parts are now available and affected operators should promptly contact their local authorised Hino dealership to make an appointment to have the passenger airbag assembly replaced.
Hino says it is aware that a mandatory recall of Takata airbag inflators has been instituted by the Commonwealth Government. This mandatory recall however does not apply to trucks, or other vehicles principally intended for commercial use.
Then statement says many Takata airbags are defective as the airbag inflators are susceptible to moisture intrusion over time. As it gets older, a combination of high temperatures and humidity can cause the airbag inflator propellant to degrade.
If an affected vehicle is involved in a collision triggering the airbag, the metal inflator housing may explode/rupture. If this occurs it may cause injury to the vehicle occupants.
Hino has not received any reports of this occurring in its vehicles in either the Australian or global markets. However Hino is aware that other brands of motor vehicles have reported injuries and fatalities due to having installed Takata brand airbags in their vehicles.
As part of its commitment to customer safety, Hino is implementing this voluntary recall to replace the front passenger airbag inflator in the affected Hino vehicles.
Hino strongly recommend that owners of affected vehicles promptly contact their local Hino dealer to arrange an appointment to have the airbag inflator replaced.
In line with the TIC Code of Practice for safety related recalls, Hino is currently contacting owners of affected trucks via mail and advertising in major metropolitan and regional newspapers. Additional information is also available by calling the Hino Care Centre on 1300 014 466 or visiting http://www.hino.com.au/product-safety-recall-airbag-inflator-campaign-28-march-18