Do the airbags in your car also need to be replaced?
Takata. The name of this supplier made headlines over a decade ago when several major recalls were initiated due to potentially dangerous airbags from the manufacturer. The airbags have not yet been replaced in many cars with the potentially dangerous Takata airbags. We delve into the figures.
The Takata airbag misery is once again in the spotlight. Citroën recently issued the urgent advice for the C3 and DS3 not to drive cars where the airbag still needs to be replaced. The recall regarding potentially dangerous airbags from Takata is not new and certainly does not only relate to Citroën models.
Major recalls were launched over a decade ago to replace the potentially dangerous airbags from Takata. Recalls would follow for various models at many car manufacturers. Thanks to license plate and data guru Jasper Verweij from Kenteken.tv, who has delved extensively into the Excel sheets and tables, we can offer you an insight into the state of the Dutch car fleet with regard to the airbag recalls.
In advance
Some important information in advance. The RDW data looked at recalls with the following description: “Due to the possibility of moisture and aging, the gas generator of the driver’s airbag can build up excessive pressure during activation. As a result, the gas generator can explode and metal parts can come loose and be ejected.” That is exactly what is happening with the Takata airbags involved. In addition, the list of brands and models involved in the Takata recalls released by the French Ministry of Transport was consulted. According to the data, several of these recalls apply to some models.
What should also certainly not be forgotten is that the Takata airbag misery is not about ‘spontaneously exploding airbags’ and that it does not have to be the case that all recalled cars actually have dangerous airbags. However, the possibility exists, and that is of course reason enough for a preventive recall. After all, there have been deaths due to incidents.
Netherlands: more than 235,000 cars still need to return
The information from Kenteken.tv shows that a total of almost 800,000 vehicle calls have been made in the Netherlands for the ‘Takata recall’. This includes models for which a recall was announced more than once. The number of cars for which one or more recalls have been announced – so we really get to the number of copies that have been involved in a Takata airbag recall. According to Kenteken.tv, that is 612,478 units.
Of the 612,478 cars for which one or more Takata recalls have been announced, 236,556 cars still need to visit the garage to have the airbag(s) replaced. This means that the airbags still need to be replaced in 38.6 percent of all cars for which a recall regarding the Takata airbags has been announced in recent years. This also means that the airbags have already been replaced in 375,922 cars (61.4 percent).
Makes and models
The recalls relating to the possibly faulty airbags from Takata concern models from, among others, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daihatsu, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Jeep, Lancia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Seat, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla, Toyota and Volkswagen. Here you can see which models from which construction years it concerns. It is possible to search for your car in the so-called Recall Register of the RDW. Do you have any doubts? Then contact your brand dealer, garage or the importer to be sure.