Replace faulty Takata airbags first, only then renew road tax

By ahmadzulizwan, 02 June 2018

The Takata airbag issue has finally incited a stronger response at government level as the Road Transport Department (JPJ) has been ordered to disallow road renewal for vehicles with faulty Takata airbags. The order came from Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who said the directive takes effect 4th June (Monday).

Honda, Takata

He said the Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd (HMSB) has indicated that 71,315 units of its cars manufactured between 2003 and 2013 have yet to participate in ongoing recall efforts and not have its vehicle’s airbags replaced.

"I have instructed JPJ not to allow these vehicle owners to renew the road tax if they do not show the confirmation letter from Honda that they had changed the airbags," he said when visiting the family of Pou Hou Tien, 23, who died in an accident at Taman Len Seng, Cheras last Sunday. So far, most, if not all, of the eight deaths related to faulty Takata airbags in Malaysia involves Honda vehicles.

The new directive will require vehicle owners to obtain a certificate from their respective car dealerships as proof that they have changed the airbags. At the car companies’ end, they must submit a list of vehicles to the JPJ which have yet to replace the faulty part.