Defective Airbags: What to Do?
Several members have turned to the ACL for more information on what to do in the event of a vehicle recall, especially if it involves a defective airbag.
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Defective Airbags: What to Do?
Automobile manufacturers are well-versed in this exercise. The massive recall of certain models to correct a technical fault is a process that is normally mastered by the industry.
Recently, the airbags from the Japanese supplier Takata have put the logistics of manufacturers and dealers to the test. Last June, Citroën was forced to orchestrate a massive recall of its vehicles equipped with defective airbags. The French manufacturer even asked the owners of the affected cars to stop using them immediately. A “stop drive” is quite rare in the automotive industry. Now, about twenty manufacturers have also started to implement their return protocol.
Through the recall, the Japanese manufacturer Takata – which went bankrupt in 2018 – was singled out for defective airbags. The problem has been known for a long time. Recently, it has resurfaced with an information campaign in France aimed at the overseas territories. “Many vehicles built between 1998 and 2019 are equipped with Takata airbags that can cause serious or even fatal injuries to the driver and front passenger,” said a statement from the French authorities, urging people to contact a dealer as soon as possible.
Who is affected and why?
According to the authorities’ information campaign, vehicles built between 1998 and 2019 and equipped with Takata airbags should be given special attention. “Due to humidity and heat, vehicles operating in the overseas departments and regions are more exposed to this risk. Additionally, the aging of these airbags inevitably leads to their deterioration, increasing the risk in the event of an accident,” explain the French authorities. Thus, heat and humidity, in addition to aging, abnormally impair the functioning of the Japanese brand’s airbags.
To check if your vehicle is affected, you need to visit the car brand’s website and enter the “VIN” number (or vehicle identification number) indicated on the vehicle’s registration certificate. If the website indicates that the vehicle is affected, you should contact the authorized dealer of the brand in question as soon as possible to request a free repair.
“The dealer stands between the manufacturer and the customer. As with all technical safety campaigns, the manufacturer directly contacts the vehicle owners. The dealer takes charge of the vehicle to be able to work on it,” explains Philippe, president of Fedamo. “Our responsibility is to take charge of the vehicle as quickly as possible and even immediately in such a safety case. In our operation, we therefore plan adequate volumes and mechanics to respond to such an eventuality when necessary,” adds Marc Devillet, CEO of Autopolis. “Our role is to respond to the market. If a customer has doubts, they can contact us and we will directly inform them if their vehicle is affected. If so, we take charge of the car. The biggest problem for us is having the replacement parts at the right time as well as mobility solutions for our customers,” concludes Marc Devillet.
How to check if you are affected?
Here is the list of websites of the main manufacturers who have identified the problem related to defective Takata airbags. Just follow the instructions to find out if your vehicle is affected.
Find your vehicle identification number (VIN): The VIN is a unique 17-character number that is written:
- On your registration certificate next to the letter E
- On the dashboard on the driver’s side
- In your maintenance/warranty booklet or on the manufacturer’s plate on the windshield
Then visit the website of your car manufacturer. All brands offer dedicated platforms where you can enter your VIN number and find out if you are affected by a recall:
Audi
BMW
Cadillac et Chevrolet
Chrysler
Citroën
Cupra
DS
Ferrari
Ford
Honda
Jeep
Land Rover
Mazda
Mercedes
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Opel
Seat
Skoda
Suzuki
Toyota
Volkswagen
Some manufacturers also provide notifications via their official apps or directly on the dashboard of your vehicle. If you have not received a letter explaining the procedure and your vehicle is still targeted by the recall campaign according to the manufacturer’s website, you must contact a repairer/mechanic of your vehicle’s brand.