Over 1.3 Million Vehicles in France Still at Risk from Defective Takata Airbags

More than 1.3 million vehicles in France remain on the road equipped with potentially dangerous Takata airbags, the Ministry of Transport has reported. These airbags pose a risk of explosion, which can cause fatal or severe injuries due to a propellant, ammonium nitrate, that degrades over time, especially in hot and humid climates.

To date, 46 accidents in France have been attributed to the rupture of these defective airbags. The majority of these incidents, along with 18 of the 20 recorded deaths and 24 of the 25 injuries, occurred in France's overseas territories. This highlights a significant ongoing safety concern for drivers, particularly as the summer holiday travel season begins.

In response to the persistent risk, consumer association CLCV announced in late June the initiation of two class-action lawsuits. These actions target manufacturers BMW and Volkswagen, aiming to secure compensation for owners of vehicles equipped with faulty Takata airbags. This follows a similar legal action already filed against Stellantis in December.

CLCV is urging affected vehicle owners to share their experiences as part of these legal proceedings. The Japanese company Takata, now bankrupt, has been at the center of a global scandal for over a decade concerning its airbags. Owners concerned about their vehicles can verify their VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on their car manufacturer's website, as approximately thirty brands have issued recalls for Takata airbags.

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To have recognition and compensation for all the potential damages suffered by the holders of the affected vehicles.