by Stellantis recalls 441 thousand cars due to faulty airbags
The company Stellantis has announced the recall of 441 thousand cars in Europe following a fatal incident in France. The incident occurred when an airbag in a Citroen C3 exploded, killing the 37-year-old female driver and injuring her passenger. The recall concerns Citroen C3 and DS3 models manufactured between 2014 and 2019, which were not previously included in an earlier campaign.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot called Stellantis’s actions “unacceptable and scandalous,” accusing the company of insufficient response to the risk. Previously, the manufacturer believed that newer models did not pose the same danger as cars from 2008-2013, but the tragedy in Reims forced a reconsideration of this position.
The large-scale Takata problem
Defective Takata airbags are installed not only in Stellantis cars. They were also used by BMW, Honda, Toyota, and Volkswagen. Despite Takata’s bankruptcy in 2017, the consequences of the scandal continue to affect millions of vehicles worldwide.
In France, 17 people have died due to this problem since 2016, mostly in overseas territories. In February 2025, the ban on operating cars with dangerous airbags was extended to the entire country. Stellantis has already replaced hundreds of thousands of airbags, but thousands of potentially dangerous cars are still on the roads.
This situation highlights the importance of manufacturers responding promptly to potential threats. Despite large-scale recalls, many drivers may still be unaware of the risks associated with their vehicles. French authorities are urging owners of Citroen C3 and DS3 to immediately contact official dealers for inspection and replacement of airbags.
