Takata Airbag Defects Linked to 15 Deaths in France and 500,000 Vehicle Recalls

Faulty airbags, identified over a decade ago, pose risks of metal fragment explosions or failure to deploy, with delayed recalls drawing criticism.

At least 15 deaths in France since 2016, including 14 in overseas territories, have been linked to defective Takata airbags, according to a new investigation.
The defect, involving unstable ammonium nitrate, can cause airbags to explode and release metal fragments or fail to deploy during crashes.
500,000 vehicles in France, across brands like Citroën, Peugeot, Toyota, and Volkswagen, are subject to recalls for models produced between 1998 and 2019.
Criticism mounts over delayed recalls, particularly for Stellantis brands like Citroën, with some measures only implemented after fatalities occurred.
Vehicle owners are urged to check recall status via manufacturer websites or VIN lookup tools, with repairs provided free of charge and completed in under half a day.