Faulty Takata airbags: is your vehicle affected?

Due to a major defect in Takata airbags, lMinistry of Transport and overseas prefects launch information campaign for motorists. If your vehicle was built between 1998 and 2019, it is likely that you will be affected by the recall campaign. The aim is to encourage the drivers concerned to have their Takata airbags changed without delay. A quick and free preventive gesture.

See the list of brands affected by the recall of defective airbag cars on the Ministries of Spatial Planning and Ecological Transition. Manufacturers regularly update this list, so it may change.

Why is this reminder important?

Vehicles traveling in overseas departments and regions are more exposed to this risk due to humidity and heat, but vehicles traveling in mainland France may also be affected. Aging of these airbags inevitably leads to their degradation, increasing the risk in the event of an accident.

Defective airbags can explode as they are deployed, throwing metal fragments. This can result in serious injury or even death for both the driver and the front passenger. The vehicles concerned must be repaired urgently.

Is your vehicle affected?

If your vehicle is affected, you should receive a postal mail. However, this letter may do not reach you if the manufacturer does not have your last address (for example, in the case of a move) or for any other reason. It is up to you to inquire and check if your vehicle is equipped with Takata airbags.

To begin your search, you need to verify your VIN. The WINE is a unique 17-character number starting with 3 letters. You can find your VIN number:

• carte grise on your computer near the letter E;
• on the driver side dashboard;
• on your maintenance/warranty booklet or on the manufacturer's plate on the windshield.

Then go to your car manufacturer's site. All brands have a dedicated platform to check if a car is affected by this recall. Fill in the "Fill in your WINE" field and you will instantly know if your vehicle is recalled.

What if my vehicle is affected by the recall?

Urgently contact a repair/garage owner to plan the replacement of the two front airbags of your vehicle. The replacement of these airbags is totally free. It is 100% supported by the manufacturer of your car.

Also check with your car manufacturer to see if they have launched a “STOP DRIVE” campaign that asks you to stop using your vehicle before changing airbags.

If you are unable to get the repairs done quickly, you can report it to the market surveillance service for vehicles and engines (SSMVM). The mission of the SSMVM is to carry out regular checks to verify compliance of products falling within its scope of competence with the requirements laid down in national and European legislation. It shall carry out such surveillance by means of appropriate controls, impose on economic operators the corrective measures necessary to comply with the applicable rules and, failing such operators to implement them, take the necessary measures and penalties.

You can also report on SignalConso: this will alert the company so that they can respond. It will also be addressed to the Fraud Prevention Officers (DGCCRF) and the Vehicle and Engine Market Surveillance Service (VMMS).