For vehicles from Japan a further search can be conducted on the MLIT web site at the following address to check whether the recall has been closed in Japan, if it has no action needs to be taken: https://www.jaspa.or.jp/portals/recallsearch/index

Recalled Takata Alpha airbag vehicles from other countries

Vehicles from countries other than Japan will have to be checked against official sites in those countries that are covering the Takata recalls. These include, but are not limited to:

• USA
  https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
• Australia
  https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls/compulsory-takata-airbag-recall/takata-airbag-recalls-list
• UK
  https://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp
• There may be appropriate lists in other jurisdictions.

It is important to understand that this is not a new requirement it is just enforcing the existing requirement that recalls are to be closed prior to a vehicle being imported into New Zealand.

If the vehicle is on one of the lists and conclusive evidence from the manufacturer or jurisdictional authority that the airbag recall has been completed is not available, the vehicles will be damage flagged with notes recorded stating ‘Open Airbag Recall’.

Vehicle makes to check

Other than for left-hand drive vehicles, you only need to check vehicles from the following manufacturers (as listed on the www.vehiclerecallsafety.nzta.govt.nz/takata/takataalpha):

• BMW
• Daihatsu
• Honda
• Isuzu
• Lexus
• Mazda
• Mitsubishi
• Nissan
• Subaru
• Toyota.

Vehicles from other manufacturers will not have Takata Alpha type airbags fitted, or be Japanese vehicles of concern, so are not subject to the recall.

For left-hand drive vehicles it is up to the importer to supply conclusive evidence that there is no recall for the vehicle and/or that the airbag has been replaced.

Conclusive evidence

To meet the burden of proof of conclusive evidence, it must be shown that the vehicle is not on any current recall lists generated by the manufacturer. Alternatively, where available a current list maintained by a jurisdictional authority can be used.

Also note, Japanese Shaken issued after 1 May 2018 is de facto evidence from a jurisdictional authority. The rationale for this is that 1 May 2018 is the deadline for all 'vehicles of concern' to have their mandatory recall cleared. Any Shaken issued after this date will require this recall to be closed.

Recall completion certificate

A Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) process document like the image below can be used to provide evidence of a Shaken test (Japanese WoF). A vehicle can only pass a Shaken test if it has had its Takata Aplha airbags replaced.

If a copy of this document is presented in for the vehicle in question and with a dealers stamp on it, it can be accepted as evidence that the vehicle in question can pass a Shaken test and therefore has had its airbags replaced. It can be accepted as proof that a vehicle has been rectified at a dealership level but might not yet have come off their website.

Example of recall completion certificate (without dealer stamp).

Other safety recalls

As the Transport Agency (or other delegated entity) makes information on additional recalls available, this process can be expanded to include those recalls for which information is available.

Border Inspection Organisations

The Border Inspection Organisations, specifically Automotive Technologies Limited, ATJ, JEVIC, Independent Verification Systems (IVS), and NZ Biosecurity Services, as per the requirements of the Boarder Inspection VIRM, will provide data to the Transport Agency regarding open safety recalls on vehicles they inspect subject to the prerequisites below.

All reasonable efforts outlined in this process will be made to assure they provide the most accurate information. All responsibility for importing any vehicle remains with the importer.

The process

From 1 November 2018, Border Inspection Organisations are required to identify and report on vehicles they inspect (fitted with airbags) that are on the Takata airbag recall lists from the various source countries.

On finding a vehicle subject to recall for Takata airbag the vehicle is to be damage flagged with note added stating ‘Open Airbag Recall’.

Recalled Takata airbag vehicles from Japan

In Japan, vehicles subject to recalls are listed on the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) web site at the following address, Border Inspection Organisations are to check whether the recalls have been closed in Japan, if it has been closed no action needs to be taken: https://www.jaspa.or.jp/portals/recallsearch/index

Recalled Takata airbag vehicles from other countries

Vehicles from countries other than Japan will have to be checked against official sites in those countries. These include, but are not limited to:

• USA
  https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
• Australia
  https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls/compulsory-takata-airbag-recall/takata-airbag-recalls-list
• UK
  https://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp
• There may be appropriate lists in other jurisdictions.

It is important to understand that this is not a new requirement it is just enforcing the existing requirement that recalls are to be closed prior to a vehicle being imported into New Zealand.

If the vehicle is on one of the lists and conclusive evidence from the manufacturer or jurisdictional authority that the airbag recall has been completed is not available, the vehicles will be damage flagged with notes recorded stating ‘Open Airbag Recall’.

Entry certification

At entry certification if a vehicle is presented with a damage flag and notes stating ‘Open Airbag Recall’ it is not to be passed until evidence is provided from the NZ manufacturer's agent that the effected airbags have been replaced.

Process flowcharts

Border inspection process for used vehicles from Japan with Takata airbag recalls from 1 November 2018 (PDF)

2018年11月1日からのタカタ製エアバッグリコール対象の中古車両のボーダーインスペクションプロセス（日本から輸入車に限る）

Vehicles coming to New Zealand from Japan

Process for ITS Connect fitted vehicle

Vehicles that must be inspected for ITS Connect

* indicates ITS is a dealer's option for this model.

Inspecting the vehicle for an active ITS Connect system

To determine if ITS Connect is fitted and operational, two checks must be made to the vehicle. The first check is on the driver information display (MID, or MFD). The second check is on the navigation system.

In both cases the inspector will be looking for any indication of settings that are associated with an active ITS Connect system.

ITS Connect manufacturer option inspection

ITS Connect dealer option check

Identifying ITS Connect in a Toyota Prius

Video example

• How to identify ITS Connect in a Toyota Prius

Visual guide to identifying ITS Connect in a Toyota Prius

Figure 1. Settings selector button

Figure 2. Setting screens

Use arrows on steering wheel control pad to move the selector

Figure 3. ITS Connect fitted as shown under vehicle settings

This vehicle would need to be damaged flagged and have the system removed.

Identifying ITS Connect in a Toyota Vellfire

Video example

• How to identify ITS Connect in a Toyota Vellfire

Visual guide to identifying ITS Connect in a Toyota Vellfire

Figure 4. Vellfire MFD control buttons

Figure 5. Vellfire MFD

Figure 6. Scroll Right to find settings

Figure 7. Select the gear icon for settings

Figure 8. Scroll down and select 'Vehicle Settings'

Figure 9. Scroll down

If ITS connect is fitted you will see the settings as below.

Conclusive evidence of inspection and ITS Connect system removal

To meet the burden of proof of conclusive evidence, it must be shown that the vehicle is not fitted with an ITS Connect system.

For a vehicle that is not fitted with ITS-Connect two photos must be saved to the BIO's vehicle file that show the settings screens for both the Navigation unit and the MID. The vehicle's damage notes (in the vehicle's file) must be updated to show that the vehicle has been inspected for ITS-Connect and ITS-Connect is not fitted, eg 'ITS-Connect not identified'. Note: damage notes cannot be added to BIS as the vehicle does not need a damage flag applied.

For a vehicle that is not fitted with the system, two photos must be provided on the BIS system that show the settings screens for both the Navigation unit and the MID. These photos should also be saved with the BIO’s vehicle file. These can be loaded manually without applying a damage flag.

A vehicle that has been found to be fitted with an ITS Connect system must have a damage flag placed on the vehicle with a note stating ‘ITS Connect Fitted’. Any other damage or Takata airbag recall notes must also be added if applicable. The damage flag is to remain on the vehicle even if ITS-Connect is disabled in Japan. Note: The vehicle record should not be created on BIS until the vehicle has completed its final border inspection, once a damage flag has been placed the record cannot be edited.

The vehicle owner must take the vehicle to a Toyota or Lexus franchise in Japan to have the ITS Connect system removed. An invoice or receipt from the dealer that shows the vehicles chassis number and indicates that the system has been removed is acceptable evidence that ITS Connect is no longer fitted.

After the ITS-connect is disabled a secondary check must be made on both the Navigation unit settings and the MID settings to ensure the ITS Connect associated settings are no longer visible. A copy of the invoice and photos of the displays on the second inspection must be saved in the vehicle file. A copy of the invoice should be loaded to BIS as evidence of the ITS Connect system removal. The invoice should be uploaded as a photo. PDFs cannot be uploaded unless the vehicle is water damaged. The vehicle should not be recorded as water damaged for the purpose of ITS Connect.