“We drive with a ticking time bomb…” After the emergency recall of more than 600,000 Citroën vehicles, drivers are protesting

Do thousands of drivers drive with a ticking time bomb in their car? In any case, that’s a sentiment shared by many Citroën owners as the manufacturer recently recalled more than 600,000 C3 and DS3 cars produced between 2009 and 2019. The cause: a faulty airbag from Japan’s Takata, which filed for bankruptcy in June 2017. But that didn’t stop the Japanese equipment maker from selling off its stock to French and foreign manufacturers.

Takata was already prominent in the United States in the mid-2000s after serious incidents that occurred on American or Japanese vehicles that caused about fifteen deaths. These airbags, which should save lives in the event of a crash, have become a nightmare for drivers who fear for their integrity today.

Obstacle course for repairs

The failure would result from a deterioration of the propellant which would cause the airbag to suddenly deploy, throwing metal particles towards the passengers. Reports are numerous in hot and humid areas such as Reunion Island where the driver, owner of a DS 3 lost her life in 2021. In France, letters recalling the chevron brand arrived in early May, in many mailboxes causing anger and concern.

“My 75-year-old mother, owner of a C3 purchased in 2016, received the letter on May 13th when it was sent on April 30th, which proves gross negligence and lack of professionalism on the part of this manufacturer given the urgency and seriousness of the situation,” condemns Alexia, this driver who lives in Balma, a suburb of Toulouse.

Today, the steps to change airbags become a real obstacle: traffic jams in dealerships, crowded calls, crowded call platforms… hundreds of drivers face incredible waiting times. The cars borrowed during repairs are no longer available, causing travel difficulties for the people concerned. “They lead us from service to service!”, the internet user is angry.

The height of cynicism, “one person even told me to contact the Takata company even though it went bankrupt seven years ago!” protests Alexia, close to a nervous breakdown. Like her, dozens of users, feeling neglected, are sharing their common pain on the social network Facebook and are considering a collective lawsuit. Toulouse lawyer Christophe Lèguevaques was contacted by several panicked people after receiving an alarming registered letter from Citroën.

In retrospect, families connect a loved one’s fatal accident and the problem with these airbags. “We are in the phase of gathering information and thinking about a joint procedure, announces Christophe Lèguevaques. Why is Citroën in such a hurry today, when the problem of these airbags has been known for a long time,” asks the lawyer.

“Our teams are actively working”

In a May 17 press release, the Stellantis group, owner of Citroën, is informing affected owners to contact them as soon as possible and “stop driving these vehicles (C3 and DS 3 manufactured from 2009 to 2019) immediately.” The group adds: “We are fully aware that users may experience difficulties or longer wait times for a mobility solution at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience and can assure you that our teams are actively working to “resolve these issues as quickly as possible. This recall action is necessary because certain chemicals in the inflators of these Takata airbags can break down over time, especially when exposed to hot and humid weather conditions.”