It is a horrific irony that a device that is supposed to protect people in collisions is actually being recalled because it has the potential to injure and kill people.
The largest recall in automotive history involves the Takata airbag. An airbag is supposed to insulate occupants from making contact with hard parts of a vehicle that could kill them in a collision. The airbags in the recalled vehicles have the potential to burst on impact and shower occupants with shrapnel that can kill or injure them. There have been reports of several deaths and hundreds of injuries around the world linked to the defective airbag that is installed in many different makes of vehicles.
Most consumers did not learn of the problem until three years ago when there was a massive recall of more than 3.6 million vehicles made by six automakers. Since that time the recall has been expanded to include more than 14 automakers and more than 60 million vehicles sold worldwide. This involves more than four million vehicles in Canada.
In some countries regulators have the power to issue recalls, establish timelines for repairs and issue fines to enforce its orders. In Canada that is not the case. Recalls are voluntary and initiated by the automakers. Transport Canada also does not have the authority to prohibit vehicles with recalled parts from continuing to be sold in Canada. In many cases it is recalls in other parts of the world that alerted Canadian consumers to possible problems with vehicles sold at home.
Last month the federal government introduced a bill that would change this. The bill would give Transport Canada the authority to issue recalls. The bill would also prevent new vehicles from being sold anywhere in the country until they are repaired. This bill is long overdue.
It is unthinkable that even while automakers issue recalls, unsuspecting consumers may buy vehicles with parts they do not know are defective. Transport Canada needs to have more authority to act to protect the public.
In the meantime the public must rely on vehicle makers to alert them or check Transport Canada websites for notices of recalls. For details see www.tc.gc.ca
