Takata: The Shameful Airbag Fails Safety Inspection from 2026

In France, cars still equipped with a Takata airbag will be refused at the technical inspection starting January 1, 2026.

Long invisible to the general public, the Takata affair has become one of the largest scandals in automotive history. At its origin was an industrial choice: to use ammonium nitrate in airbag inflators. Sensitive to humidity and high temperatures, this component degrades over time and can cause the airbag to explode uncontrollably, projecting metal fragments toward the occupants.

The first documented incidents date back to the early 2000s. However, it was from 2013 that the scale of the problem became apparent, when several manufacturers launched massive recalls worldwide. The name Takata then became synonymous with a major industrial crisis. Tens of millions of vehicles, across all brands, were recalled. The Japanese group filed for bankruptcy in 2017, unable to cope with the colossal costs of repairs and legal proceedings.

France Falling Behind

In France, the issue has long progressed at a slower pace than in other countries. However, since 2024, the pressure has increased. In light of accidents and identified risks, authorities have strengthened the “stop drive” notice for certain models, outright banning their circulation until the airbag is replaced.

The real breakthrough will occur on January 1, 2026. From this date, technical inspection centers will have to systematically refuse any vehicle equipped with a Takata airbag classified as dangerous and not repaired. In practice, the vehicle will fail the inspection and will not be able to circulate legally until the intervention has been performed.

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This decision at least has the merit of accelerating the replacement of defective Takata airbags, transforming a simple recommendation into a real obligation. In principle, the measure goes in the right direction: it finally forces manufacturers and owners to address a risk that has persisted for far too long. But while the saying “better late than never” applies here, it is hard not to point out the responsibility of the state and manufacturers, who have procrastinated for too long in the face of a danger that has been identified for years. The safety of motorists should have been a priority much earlier.

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