Faulty airbags: Mass recall in France includes more Toyota and Mercedes models

More cars in France are being affected by the Takata airbag issue with 20 more models of Toyota and Mercedes vehicles ordered off the road by the Transport Ministry this week.

The new recall, announced on April 10, comprises models sold between 2001 and 2018, including: 

• Toyota Yaris (2001-2017)

• Toyota Corolla (2001-2010)

• Mercedes A-Class II (2004-2016) 

• Mercedes C-Class II and III (2004-2016).

The ministry also said that certain models of Chevrolet are “under special surveillance”, although these vehicles are less common in France.

The new recall was made after the government requested the consolidation of all investigations into the defective airbags by the Juridiction interrégionale spécialisée (JIRS) de Paris. 

In a memo seen by the AFP, the Ministry of Justice wrote: “It seems appropriate to consider, in the interest of the proper administration of justice, a consolidation at the Paris JIRS of the proceedings relating to the introduction and continued use of defective Takata airbags.”

Legal proceedings

The new announcement has been welcomed by some lawyers representing some who have already been injured by the airbags. Many were calling for the consolidation of all investigations.

At least 29 accidents related to these airbags have been recorded in France, including 17 deaths since 2016, both on the mainland and in the overseas territories.

Millions still affected

It comes after the government confirmed in February that more than 2.3 million vehicles in France still needed to have their defective airbags replaced.

The majority of the vehicles affected, across all brands, were manufactured between 1988 and 2019.

What is the problem with the airbags? 

The airbags are made by the Japanese manufacturer Takata. They have an ammonium nitrate gas generator that was subject to recall more than a year ago.

The airbags have been found to degrade more quickly than they should, particularly in climates where temperatures and humidity are higher.

This causes the airbags to malfunction if they are deployed in a collision, which can cause parts to detach and result in severe injury.

Which vehicle brands are affected?

Brands to have recalled their vehicles due to the airbag issue include:

• Nissan, BMW, Chevrolet, Citroën, Toyota, Mercedes, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Seat, Skoda, and Volkswagen.

A full list of the models concerned by brand and year, and the details of their recalls, can be found on the dedicated government website here, or on our list here.

What should I do if my vehicle has one of these airbags?

Manufacturers are required by law to inform drivers that their vehicles may be at risk (and the companies may face financial penalties if they do not do this). However, you can also check yourself.

The government advises:

• If your vehicle was built between 1998 and 2019, check your letters or contact the manufacturer to see if you are affected

• If so, contact a repairer/garage of the make of your vehicle as soon as possible to change the airbags

The repair is free and quick (the vehicle should be out of action for less than half a day), the ministry states.

You can also check if your vehicle is affected by finding the 17-character ID number (numéro d'identification du véhicule, VIN), which is found on the carte grise, the manufacturer’s manual, or the windscreen.

Once you have this number, you can use your car brand’s own website to double check if your vehicle requires the change. All of the vehicle manufacturers affected have made this information available on their websites (for example, this is the page for Volkswagen).

If you do not have your airbags replaced, “you are putting yourself, your passengers and other road users at risk”, the ministry has said.

If the manufacturer of your vehicle has launched a “stop drive” campaign for the model in question, you are strongly advised to stop using your vehicle and have the airbags replaced.