Automotive safety recalls have become increasingly common, but few have reached the scale of the Takata airbag crisis.
Years after the issue was first identified, millions of vehicles worldwide remain equipped with these potentially deadly airbags, prompting renewed government pressure for immediate action.
As reported by Linternaute, the French Ministry of Transport has ordered car manufacturers to accelerate recalls, particularly in overseas territories where heat and humidity increase the risk of airbag malfunctions.
Carmakers must provide a full list of affected models, recall all impacted vehicles by February 15, 2025, and even impose a "stop-drive" order for cars whose airbags have not yet been replaced.
Which Cars Are Affected?
Several major automakers have been involved in Takata airbag recalls, including Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, and Mercedes.
Stellantis (parent company of Citroën and DS) initially limited recalls to southern Europe but has now expanded them across the continent, with 870,000 vehicles affected—400,000 in France alone.
Checking if a vehicle is affected is straightforward.
Owners can visit their car brand’s official recall website and enter their VIN number, which can be found on the vehicle registration document.
The Urgency of Replacements
Takata airbags, which led to the company’s bankruptcy in 2017, are prone to exploding upon deployment, sending metal fragments into the vehicle’s cabin.
The defect has been linked to numerous injuries and fatalities worldwide.
Replacing a defective airbag takes less than a day, and drivers are advised to check recall notices or contact their dealer if uncertain.
With a final push from regulators, automakers are under pressure to remove these dangerous airbags from the roads once and for all.
