Are you in danger? The cars still on the road with 'ticking time bombs'

It has been revealed which state has the highest number of faulty Takata airbags in cars as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warns drivers there are nearly two million yet to be replaced.

In a statement, the consumer watchdog said 12 months on from the first Takata airbag recall, 1.8 million airbags still needed to be replaced. More than one million have already been returned.

The Takata airbags can become lethal by mis-deploying and firing metal shards at passengers.

It follows an urgent campaign launched by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries urging drivers to replace their airbags and to stop ignoring warnings.

NSW drivers are the worst culprits with more than 500,000 airbags yet to be replaced. More than 440,000 need to be replaced in Victoria, which ranks second.

Queensland and WA have more than 320,000 and 160,000 in need of replacement respectively.

The ACCC’s deputy chair Delia Rickard added there were also about 20,000 cars carrying “alpha” airbags, which she said should not be driven. More than 5000 of these are in NSW vehicles.

“Make no mistake, these airbags can kill and our advice is for consumers to check our website to see if their car is affected by this recall,” she said.

Ms Rickard told the ABC the airbags were “ticking time bombs”.

More than 180,000 BMWs, 190,000 Toyotas (including Lexus) and 245,000 Nissans are still on Australian roads with Takata airbags.

Private investigators to urge drivers to replace airbags

Private investigators, letters and text messages are being used to urge drivers to replace faulty airbags, according to Tony Weber, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

Mr Weber told Yahoo7 on Tuesday the airbags have killed 24 people worldwide and led to 266 serious injuries.

“There’s been letters sent out to people, there’s been text messages, there’s private investigators have been used to track down people and tell them that they need to get their cars into dealerships,” Mr Weber said.

Owners of affected vehicles have also received alarming text messages urging drivers to replace their deadly airbags.

“It could kill/injure people in your vehicle,” one text message from Toyota Australia to a vehicle owner said.

“Please urgently call your closest/preferred Toyota Dealer or call to schedule a FREE airbag replacement.”