Takata scandal: several garage franchises refuse to repair vehicles equipped with defective airbags

The Takata airbag disaster continues unabated. Several garages and auto centers have announced their refusal to perform any type of repair work on vehicles equipped with Takata airbags and affected by the recall. Not an oil change, not even a windshield wiper replacement, nothing.

2.5 million vehicles equipped with Takata airbags are currently subject to a recall. In a decree published on Wednesday, July 30 , Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced that owners of vehicles affected by the "stop drive" will be offered a free courtesy vehicle by the manufacturer while the defective airbags are being replaced.

Earlier, at the end of June, the government issued a decree to immediately stop 800,000 particularly high-risk vehicles in order to prevent any fatal accidents.

For others, they must be repaired within two weeks. But for drivers of a car equipped with Takata airbags who want to make it safe again, the situation is worse.

Faced with the multiple risks caused by defective Takata airbags, garages are putting a stop to the virus. Since Friday, August 1, Speedy has stated on its website that it is refusing to work on vehicles subject to an ongoing recall. " It is your responsibility to check whether your vehicle is subject to a manufacturer's recall before any work is carried out at our centers. This check is strictly personal and cannot be carried out by SPEEDY teams," the press release states. "In the event of a confirmed manufacturer recall on your vehicle, our centers will not be able to carry out maintenance or repairs until the affected airbags have been replaced."

Because the Takata airbag is dangerous. As a reminder, due to a gas that ages poorly, these safety devices, which are supposed to protect passengers in the event of an impact, are likely to explode, especially in hot and humid climates. This can cause parts to fly into drivers' faces.

Whatever repairs need to be made to their car, the driver must therefore contact the manufacturer, Speedy recommends on its website. "After replacing the airbags and upon presentation of proof of the intervention, we can maintain your vehicles in the best conditions to continue your mobility," the brand also specifies, meaning having to show proof of ownership for the owner who must prove that their car was equipped with a functional airbag.

Point S brands have also joined the refusal movement, without, however, having published an official statement. As for the Norauto brand, according to TF1 , it promises to communicate in the coming days on its social networks to "help motorists in their journey" .