A new airbag safety risk has been flagged by Australian authorities, affecting around 78,000 vehicles across several brands.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the car makes included Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Toyota manufactured between 1996 and 2000.
They were fitted with a particular Takata airbag with a certain inflator, NADI 5-AT, and the ACCC warned it could mis-deploy in an accident.
These Takata airbags were not part of the existing recall that had affected the brand.
The ACCC said metal fragments could fly from the airbag after it inflates, causing serious injury, and in some cases could under inflate.
Authorities have already received reports of three incidents, including a fatality, suspected of involving these airbags not deploying correctly.
Audi and BMW have already begun a voluntary recall.
ACCC chair Rod Sims encouraged anyone with one of these cars to consider using alternative transport rather than drive them.
"Even though full details and appropriate remedies are still being worked out by the manufacturers, we are issuing this warning now to urge people not to use their car if it is affected by this potentially deadly airbag," Mr Sims said.
"The fastest way to deal with these issues is via a voluntary recall. A compulsory recall is a lengthy process but it will be considered if manufacturers do not take appropriate steps."
Car makes and models potentially at risk
| Make | Model | Years | Contact details |
| Audi | A6 4B/C5 | 1998-2000 | Audi Takata Information Line: 1800 856 770 |
| A8 4D/D2 | 1998-2000 | ||
| A4 8D/B5 | 1997-2000 | ||
| TT 8N/1 | 1999-2000 | ||
| Cabriolet 8G/B4 | 1998-1999 | ||
| BMW | E46 3 Series | 1997-2000 | BMW Takata Hotline: 1800 243 675 |
| Ford | Courier | 1998-2000 | Takata Recall Hotline: 1800 503 673 |
| Honda | Legend | 1996-2000 | 1800 952 272 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 6:00pm AEDT) |
| CR-V | 1997-2000 | ||
| Accord | 1997-1999 | ||
| Mazda | Eunos 800 | 1996-1999 | Mazda Customer Support: 1800 034 411 |
| Mitsubishi | NL Pajero | 1997-2000 | Takata Hotline: 1800 931 811 |
| CE Lancer | 1997-2000 | ||
| WA Express | 1997-2000 | ||
| CE Mirage | 1997-2000 | ||
| WA Starwagon | 1997-2000 | ||
| Suzuki | Grand Vitara | 1998-2000 | 1800 777 088 |
| Toyota | Starlet 3 door | 1997-1999 | 1800 800 424 (Monday to Friday, 8:00am-7:00pm AEDT) |
| Starlet 5 door | 1997-1999 | ||
| Paseo | 1997-1999 | ||
| Celica | 1997-1999 | ||
| RAV4 3 door | 1997-1999 | ||
| RAV4 5 door | 1997-1999 |
Editor's note 19/12/19: The ACCC originally included the Toyota Vitz/Echo 1999 in its list of affected vehicles. This vehicle is not affected and has been removed from the list.
Table source: ACCC
