Driver killed by faulty airbag in Sydney crash

A faulty airbag likely caused the death of a 58-year-old man who was involved in a serious car crash in Sydney a week ago.

The death is the first in Australia linked to faulty Takata airbags, which have claimed at least 18 lives around the world.

The man was driving a Honda CRV which slammed into another car at an intersection in Cabramatta in south-west Sydney on July 13.

While his female passenger and two people in the other vehicle survived, the 58-year-old died at the scene.

"Investigations have revealed the death of the man is likely due to a fault in the airbag, causing the man to be struck in the neck by a small fragment," NSW Police said in a statement , adding the vehicle was the subject of a worldwide recall.

Japanese airbag maker Takata faces tens of billions of dollars in costs and liabilities resulting from almost a decade of recalls and lawsuits.

Its airbags have now been linked to at least 18 deaths around the world.

For a full list of vehicles fitted with potentially faulty airbags, visit Product Safety Australia.