As Citroën’s recall campaign continues in France to replace potentially dangerous airbags in hundreds of thousands of C3s and DS3s, two other brands have just launched a massive recall in the United States.
“Don’t drive”
More than 475,000 Ford and Mazda vehicles “equipped with recalled and unrepaired Takata airbags” are affected by this recall, said the NHTSA, the administration in charge of road safety in the United States, in a press release published on Tuesday, August 13.
Models produced between 2003 and 2014, such as the Ford Ranger and Mustang and the Mazda 6, RX-8, CX-7 and CX-9.
“If you own one of these vehicles, do not drive it until the repair is completed and the defective air bag is replaced,” NHTSA says.
A so-called “Stop Drive” recall, like the one launched by Citroën and DS at the end of last April, reflects a priori greater risk, with cases of fatal accidents or serious injuries being recorded.
An unprecedented situation in Europe, where until now the brands concerned had launched simple recalls, allowing the vehicle to be driven before replacing the airbag. This is also the case for the other recalls subsequently launched by the Stellantis group on Other Citroën or Opel models.
An intervention supported by manufacturers
“Some of these vehicles are now more than 20 years old, which increases the risk of the airbag rupturing in a collision, which can cause serious injury or death to vehicle occupants,” the NHTSA added, recalling that Takata airbags have been involved in 27 deaths and more than 400 injuries in the United States.
“Ford and Mazda offer free towing, mobile repairs and, if necessary, loaner vehicles,” the press release said.
In the United States, other brands had already been affected by “Stop Drive” recalls, with a list available on the NHTSA website that includes models from BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Honda, Nissan and even Toyota. Ford and Mazda were also among the manufacturers named.
Source: BFM TV
