Anthony Loke: Last Warning For Honda, Mazda, Subaru Owners For Takata Airbag Recall

Transport Minister Anthony Loke has given the last warning to almost 80,000 Honda, Mazda, and Subaru owners who have yet to replace their faulty Takata airbag inflators. 

According to Loke, these three manufacturers currently have sufficient stock of the airbag inflators to accommodate the recall process.

Loke added that owners of these three marques have less than 2 months to get their airbag inflators replaced before they are blacklisted by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

“I have asked the companies to send final reminder within two weeks. After that JPJ will issue Notice 114 to summon these car owners to update their status. If they still ignore the notice after a month, we will begin the blacklisting process, which means they will not be able to renew their road taxes,” he said.

As for owners of BMW, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Toyota models, they are given a grace period of another 2 months as these companies do not have sufficient stock of the airbag inflators.

Loke stressed that the move was not meant to burden car owners, but the reluctances of some owners forced the government to use the word ‘blacklist’. “If we don’t threaten them with the word ‘blacklist’, they will never do it. They should realise what matters most is their lives, not the road tax renewal,” he added.

The Malay Mail added that the government has spent RM1 million since 26 June to send out letters to 408,551 motorists, but only 70,853 have replaced their faulty Takata airbag inflators.