The French government has ordered the immediate immobilization of 800,000 additional vehicles because of the presence of possibly lethal Takata airbags. All car brands are involved in the massive and urgent recall that is now needed.
Last week, French car manufacturer Citroën initiated a ‘stop drive’ for all its C3 and DS3 models produced between 2009 and 2019. They have Takata airbags with ammonium nitrate without desiccant, and could have an untimely explosion of the airbag, provoking serious injuries or even death of the drivers of those cars.
Today, the French government has enlarged the measures to all vehicles in France and its overseas departments with such an airbag installed, approximately 2.5 million cars. 1.7 million of those face an obligation to immediately immobilize the vehicle, a ‘stop drive’ order.
“This decision aims to send a clear and stringent message to the car manufacturers and incite owners of such vehicles to go to their dealers for verification as soon as possible,” says the French Ministry of Transport.
Since the so-called Takata scandal broke out in 2014, millions of vehicles have already been recalled for verification and/or replacement of the airbags all over the world. Takata went into bankruptcy in 2017, but the consequences of their faulty airbags are still shaking the industry eight years later.
More stringent measures and standards
The French Minister of Transport, Philippe Tabarot, immediately contacted European authorities upon assuming office in the French government. He urged Europe to reinforce and strengthen the homologation standards for airbags. In February, he ordered a general inspection, the results of which should be available now. Tabarot does not exclude that additional measures will be taken, says his cabinet.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport will issue a decree stipulating that every car owner or driver whose car is immobilized will be provided with a replacement car or will have their costs for a rental vehicle covered. The decree also foresees “a clear fixation of the delays for reparation” and “the obligation to have a specific stock of airbags available”.
At the European level, no messages were sent or measures taken at the moment. Additionally, in other European countries, there appears to be a notable silence concerning the matter.
