Takata airbags: 800,000 more vehicles in France affected by ‘stop drive’ alert

Another 800,000 vehicles in France are affected by a new ‘stop drive’ campaign, linked to faulty airbags. 

Drivers are being urged not to use the vehicles until they are taken in for repairs as the risk of the airbags causing potentially fatal accidents has greatly increased. 

It affects dozens of makes and models of cars that have ‘Takata’ airbags installed, mostly from the manufacturing group Stellantis.

The new campaign is focused in mainland France and in Corsica/overseas territories. The latter has vehicles from a wider timeframe recalled as the airbags deteriorate more quickly in hot and humid conditions.

Recalls and earlier ‘stop drive’ campaigns for the worst-impacted models have started in the south of France before moving to the north as drivers in warmer climates are more at risk.

800,000 more vehicles impacted

It comes after the death of a woman driving in eastern France earlier this month was linked to a faulty ‘Takata’ airbag. The fatal accident, which happened on a motorway, prompted Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot to order manufacturer Citroën to expand its ‘stop drive’ campaign for the C3 and DS3 models.

Previously, drivers of affected models produced in more recent years were merely asked to bring the car in for repairs when possible, as opposed to being asked to stay off the roads until the issue was resolved as was the case for older vehicles.

The minister has continued to widen the campaign, and on Tuesday (June 24) asked manufacturers to issue a wider ‘stop drive’ campaign as part of a major press release on the subject.

The new campaign applies to vehicles under the following conditions: 

• All vehicles with a faulty Takata airbag driven in the overseas departments/territories and Corsica 

• All vehicles manufactured before 2011 driven in mainland France (outside of Corsica) with a faulty Takata airbag

This affects an additional 800,000 vehicles, bringing the total number of drivers affected by a ‘stop drive’ campaign related to the airbags to 1.7 million in France.

Overall, around 2.5 million vehicles require their airbags to be changed, with the remaining vehicles on this list needing the airbags replaced at some point. 

The ‘stop drive’ campaign asks drivers not to use their vehicle due to the increased risk of potentially fatal accidents, but does not legally prevent drivers from using them. 

However, they should get their vehicle repaired as soon as possible. 

How can I check if my vehicle is affected? 

The government has set up a dedicated website listing all of the vehicle makers impacted, which links to their recall websites. 

Drivers can click on the link for their vehicle’s manufacturer and then enter information about it – usually the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) found on its registration – to see if they are impacted. 

Websites should tell drivers whether their vehicle just needs a repair, or is subject to a ‘do not drive’ alert.

In most cases, the manufacturer should also contact the driver (using the address on the vehicle’s registration, so this should be updated if you have recently moved) informing them of the change.