Takata air bags: Mitsubishi issues recall for SA

Cape Town - Mitsubishi South Africa has confirmed that its local models are affected by potentially defective air-bag inflators manufactured by Takata.

Locally, 2354 Lancer 1.6 litre and EVO derivatives sold from 2003 to 2007 will be recalled for safety inspections and possible replacement of air bags.

Free replacement

Mitsubishi says it is contacting owners and says the replacement will be free of charge.

According to Mitsubishi: "Replacement parts will first need to be distributed to dealers countrywide before customers will be asked to take their vehicles to their dealers. The inspection and replacement procedure will take approximately one hour." 

Owners can log onto the automaker's website and use the VIN-checker tab to check if their vehicles are affected. (www.mitsubishi-motors.co.za/recall)

Other SA manufacturers affected

Mitsubishi is not the only automaker in South Africa affected by Takata's defective air bags.

In May 2015, Wheels24 reported that Toyota South Africa said it would replace air-bag inflators in its Corolla, RunX and Yaris models (built from 2002 to 2007) and in its Rav4, Hilux and Fortuners (from July 2003 to December 2005).

Nissan SA confirmed that certain previous generation Almeras could be affected. The automaker said: "Previous generation Nissan Almeras, manufactured in Rosslyn, from 2004 to 2007 are potentially affected."

In June 2015, as a precautionary measure, Honda South Africa said it will recall "a small number of 2001-03 model years CR-V, Accord, Civic and Jazz units".

More about Takata recalls

In one of the most complex consumer recalls in history, about 19.2 million vehicles containing 23.4 million air-bag inflators have been recalled across the world, affecting 11 different automakers.

The inflators, which have been linked to at least eight deaths, can explode with too much force and spray metal shrapnel into vehicle compartments.