Takata Airbag Scandal Expands with New European Recalls

Defective airbags linked to 28 deaths and hundreds of injuries prompt Citroën and other automakers to extend recalls across Europe.

Takata airbags, using a chemical prone to degradation in humid climates, have caused 28 confirmed deaths and over 400 injuries globally, with 12 fatalities in France alone.
Citroën has launched a new recall of 869,000 vehicles across Europe, including 400,000 in France, targeting models like the C3 and DS3 manufactured between 2009 and 2019.
The latest recall does not require an immediate 'stop drive' order, unlike a previous recall in 2024 that immobilized vehicles in southern Europe due to heightened risks in hot, humid regions.
Takata's use of ammonium nitrate in airbag inflators, despite known risks, led to its bankruptcy in 2017 and has implicated 26 major automakers, including Honda, Toyota, BMW, and Volkswagen.
Legal actions are intensifying, with French authorities investigating 'involuntary manslaughter' cases and consumer groups pursuing lawsuits against automakers for delayed responses.