Millions of cars around the world are currently being recalled for a fatal airbag defect. If you own one of the affected models, do not drive with it!
Despite the efforts of automobile manufacturers, vehicles sometimes leave the factory with manufacturing defects. Invisible defects which often appear several years after being put into circulation. And which give rise to more or less urgent campaigns to return the vehicles concerned to the workshop for repairs and compliance. Because while some are minor, others are serious, to the point of endangering the safety of drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians. This is precisely what happened with the so-called “Takata affair”.
Takata was a Japanese equipment manufacturer that manufactured airbags for many automobile manufacturers around the world. Unfortunately, many airbags have proven to be defective and even dangerous: in the event of an impact, they could be triggered by projecting multiple metal parts into the passenger compartment. A very serious defect which caused around twenty deaths and numerous injuries across the planet. Because Takata supplied more than 100 million airbags before going bankrupt in 2017.
And although the first recalls date back to 2014, the matter is still not over! The Stellantis group, which brings together flagship brands like Citroën, Peugeot, Opel, Fiat and Chrysler, finds itself mired in a much more substantial campaign than the company said.
At the end of May, it had to launch a massive recall campaign in around twenty countries for the Citroën C3 and DS3 models. In total, 605,772 cars were covered by this procedure, including 246,883 in France. And at the beginning of June 2024, it is now the C4, DS4 and DS5, as well as certain vehicles from the Opel brand, which are now being recalled to the workshop for this airbag problem. In total, some 8 million vehicles produced between 2009 and 2019 need to be repaired.
But the Stellantis group is not the only manufacturer concerned, around fifteen others are too! This is the case for Audi – for models sold from 1996 to 2017! –, BMW, Cadillac, Ford, Honda, Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, Seat, Skoda, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen. You can find the detailed – but not exhaustive – list of vehicles affected by the recalls on the website UFC-Que Choisir. If your vehicle is affected, stop driving it immediately. Go to the manufacturer’s website and enter your VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number) which can be found on the registration document. Register online, and the company should contact you to schedule the repair, which they will cover.