Even luxury brands are no exception to disaster

For years, this security equipment supposed to protect motorists sometimes turn into fatal weapons. Therefore, The list of victims continues to lie down.

Following the last drama to date. For example, Stellantis said that the driver’s vehicle was part of her second recall campaign, after a first launch on C3 and DS3 vehicles produced between 2009 and 2013. Meanwhile, This French driver. However, killed by the explosion of her Citroën C3 airbag in June 2025, tragically illustrates the extent of the problem. In addition, During an accident, the inflation system does not simply release the airbag, but can explode. Nevertheless, The pyrotechnic cartridge then disintegrated under pressure. In addition, projecting metallic bursts at very high speed in the passenger compartment, with a force comparable to that of a firearm.

If the cases around Stellantis cars are the most publicized, the reality goes far even luxury brands no exception beyond the only French cars.

Premium brands fall from their pedestal – Even luxury brands no exception

When we think of defective Airbags. we spontaneously imagine entry -level cars produced in the chain. However, the list of manufacturers concerned is now long like the arm and luxury brands are also part of it.

Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus… These names are indeed on the black list. A slap for these manufacturers who cultivate their image of premium brands. supposed to offer the best in terms of safety and quality.

Like its German competitors Audi and BMW, Mercedes was not spared from this caseespecially on the third generation C -Class. The star manufacturer. a symbol of German excellence, had to recall its models class A, B, C, E, CLA, CLS, GLK, ML and GLC produced between 2004 and 2018. Mercedes indicates that it has already proceeded over the years to more than 50 % replacement on the 217,000 even luxury brands no exception models concerned.

General negligence that goes beyond the ranges

The most disturbing in this story is the apparent collective negligence. As early as 2013. several manufacturers reported various accidents and in recent years, several of them have made dealership reminders to settle the concern. However, collective awareness was long to come.

Although the dangerousness of Takata airbags has been known for over 10 years. despite the gravity and the proven character of the risk, These manufacturers have also expected to be at the foot of the wall to take measures under media pressure.

The UFC-Que Choisir has also filed complaints against several groups, pointing to this “imprecise, late and insufficient” management. A “simple” recall measure identified for French territory for Mercedes in 2020. Toyota in 2022, for a very limited number of models compared to vehicles today listed on the ministerial site as having been equipped with Takata airbags.

The even luxury brands no exception situation is all the more revolting since these manufacturers have. for some, continued to equip their Takata airbag vehicles until 2017, or even until June 2020 (For some SEAT models for example), even though recall campaigns were already underway at other brands.

The French state finally goes up to the niche

Faced with the scale of the scandal. the French authorities ended up raising their tone. The state gets involved for good. sinceIt intimate to certain manufacturers concerned to issue “stop drive” instructions Asking customers who own cars recalled not to drive their vehicles before replacement of the incriminated airbags.

After Citroën. it is around Toyota and Mercedes to issue a new reminder for models equipped with Takata airbags, and more than 400,000 vehicles are affected. This late, late, but necessary, measurement made it possible to accelerate things. In mainland France alone, 2.3 million vehicles would still embark these airbags.

even luxury brands no exception

The technical problem at the origin of all these misfortunes is however well identified. The airbags developed by the Japanese company Takata. now disappeared, are made up of ammonium nitrate, which can become very unstable over time, especially in hot and humid areas. The Takata scandal proves that in terms of security, the prestige of a brand is unfortunately not a guarantee.

• More than 26 car brands are affected by defective Takata airbags. including luxury manufacturers like Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and Ferrari
• Despite knowledge of the problem for more than 10 years, many premium manufacturers have delayed acting and continued to install these airbags until 2020
• In France, 2.3 million vehicles still circulate with these dangerous equipment. the state having imposed “stop drive” measures to accelerate reminders

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