Airbags Takata: after Citroën and Volkswagen, Toyota and Mercedes also announce a recall of vehicles, here are the affected models

Here comes another chapter in the endless saga of Takata airbags, a case that could have been an episode of "24" given how long and tangled it has become. After Citroën and Volkswagen kicked off the recalls, now Toyota and Mercedes, two well-known giants, announce a colossal immobilization campaign as well. Between "stop drive" calls and never-ending recall campaigns, the spectacle of these airbags about to explode threatens to turn our roads into a real minefield. So, who will be the next to take the stage in this automotive saga that has cost much more than just a few dents?

Why Toyota and Mercedes Must Immobilize Their Vehicles Equipped with Takata Airbags

This is not a joke taken from a British sitcom, but the official alert from the French Ministry of Transport this Thursday, April 10. Toyota and Mercedes must join Citroën and Volkswagen for a "stop drive" operation that sends chills: approximately 170,000 vehicles in the metropolitan area hit by an immobilization decree, all produced between 2001 and 2018. The reason? These faulty airbags manufactured by Takata, a safety component meant to save lives, but which turns into an explosive device. A propellant gas that ages poorly, ready to catapult metal fragments straight into the driver’s face. All this, of course, without warning, like a bad joke in poor taste.

The Takata Scandal, a Time Bomb Still Causing Damage

Since 2014, this industrial fiasco has shaken almost the entire automotive world, involving a list of names that resembles a catalog: Volkswagen, Nissan, BMW, Honda, Mazda, Subaru, Chrysler, Infiniti… All involved in this farce that turned into a tragedy. In France, there have unfortunately been 29 accidents linked to these corrupted airbags, including 12 deaths (11 overseas, one in the mainland). Citroën started to immobilize its 236,900 C3 and DS3 models in northern France, but it seems that the campaigns are as effective as a hole punch without paper.

The Struggles of Recall Campaigns: Between Announced Ineffectiveness and Owner Procrastination

Changing a dangerous airbag seems simple, except when owners prefer to leave their explosive vehicle on the pavement. As a result, of the 2.3 million cars in France still affected, a small number still linger, notably 214,700 Mercedes and 154,900 Toyota. These figures include popular models such as Toyota Yaris (2001-2017), Corolla (2001-2010), and the Mercedes Class A II (2004-2016) and Class C II & III (2004-2016).

Mercedes is somewhat defensive, claiming that 53% of the 217,877 vehicles involved have had their airbags replaced, yet remains desperately caught in a ballet of repeated registered letter sends. Toyota, on its part, throws out an official figure: 70,000 vehicles still in limbo, despite a flood of recalls since 2015. The worst part? Enthusiasm to go to the garage declines as the cars age. Perhaps they prefer to play Russian roulette on the highway?

When Industrial Responsibility Is Long Overdue

In Paris, there have been loud calls that it is time to centralize all investigations into these defective airbags, particularly those related to involuntary homicides. The damage is deep, both legally and mechanically. The government is no longer joking and has even decided to impose financial penalties that could rise up to one million euros per day of delay for manufacturers who are slow to track these thousands of at-risk vehicles.

In Guadeloupe, the situation borders on the absurd, where the accelerated degradation of the component due to the tropical climate has skyrocketed the number of fatal accidents. Some manufacturers still have not deployed an organizational structure worthy of the name, and have had to face a fine of 315,000 euros. Meanwhile, owners of Citroën C3 have decided to ramp up judicial pressure by suing Stellantis for "endangering the lives of others." A reaction that, we hope, will bring about change.

Source: www.centrepresseaveyron.fr

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