Takata airbag recalls: are you affected?

Takata Corporation was a Japanese company specialising in automotive safety systems, including seat belts, steering wheels, child seats and airbags. Founded in 1933, the company was for decades a leading supplier to many car manufacturers around the world. The defective airbag scandal, uncovered in the 2010s, led to millions of recalls, hefty lawsuits and the company's bankruptcy in 2017. Takata was subsequently taken over by Key Safety Systems, a US company, and now operates under the name Joyson Safety Systems.

The airbags in question are equipped with an inflator based on ammonium nitrate, a substance that can become unstable over time, particularly under the effect of heat and humidity. In the event of an accident, the airbag can explode uncontrollably, throwing metal fragments into the passenger compartment. The danger is so great that some models are now considered unfit for road use.

Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said:

"This is no longer simply a classic recall, but a direct threat to the lives of motorists. All vehicles affected must be immobilised immediately, wherever they may be in France, Corsica or overseas."

The alarm bells really went off after the death of a 36-year-old woman in Reims on 11 June. She was driving her Citroën C3 when the airbag exploded, killing her instantly. Other cases, notably in Guadeloupe, have also been reported in recent months.

This tragedy comes on top of the 16 deaths already recorded in France since the start of the Takata scandal, and the more than 20 deaths worldwide, mainly in the United States.

This table is provided for information only and does not claim to be exhaustive. The list of models affected by the Takata airbag recall may change over time, depending on the information provided by manufacturers and government updates.

To check for sure whether your vehicle is affected, refer to the official list published by the French Ministry for Ecological Transition (link below the table).

Do not use your car if it is in "stop drive".

Contact your dealer or an authorised garage immediately to arrange for repairs.

Repairs are completely free of charge, even out of warranty.

Some manufacturers offer free towing and a loan vehicle.

More than 480,000 vehicles have already been repaired, but workshops are likely to be saturated in the coming weeks. Act now.