Takata Airbags: Finally a Total Recall?

The danger of Takata airbags is neither new nor uncertain. It is documented, recognized, and proven. And yet many are still on the road.

This is yet another tragedy. On June 11th, a fatal accident in Reims, involving a defective Takata airbag, brutally reminds us of a reality known for years: some vehicles are still on the road with dangerous equipment, despite repeated warnings and scandals already revealed globally. Some manufacturers have continued to shelter behind questionable risk assessments, sometimes refusing to take necessary measures.

In the face of this inertia, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot has decided to take strong action. As soon as he became aware of the accident, he demanded the immediate recall of the affected Citroën C3 and DS3 models, accompanied by a strict driving ban – a procedure known as “stop drive.”

But beyond this targeted reaction, the minister is now making decisions of national significance. The first measure: a general recall of all at-risk Takata airbags, regardless of the vehicle’s age. In clear terms, it will no longer be possible for a manufacturer to ignore the problem on the grounds that the vehicle is too old or that the airbag has not yet failed. Caution is minimal, not excessive. It’s simply about finally applying the precautionary principle.

Second measure: the extension of the “stop drive” in the highest risk areas – DROM, Corsica – and for vehicles manufactured before 2011 in mainland France. The combination of heat, humidity, and age significantly increases the likelihood of airbag failure. The causal link is no longer to be demonstrated.

These decisions are part of a broader dynamic: for six months, the ministry has strengthened requirements for manufacturers, launched information campaigns, established financial penalties, and created monitoring platforms.

It took a death for things to move. One more. This challenges the entire logic of letting things be. Because this is no longer a theoretical risk; it is a known danger. And continuing to turn a blind eye makes one complicit.

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