
Citroen has recalled all C3 and DS3 models in South Africa manufactured between 2009 and 2019 for urgent airbag replacements as part of the ongoing Takata recall campaign.
Customers are urged to stop driving these vehicles immediately and contact their preferred dealership as soon as possible to schedule a free replacement.
The company said that the chemical components of Takata airbags can deteriorate over time, especially when exposed to hot and humid climatic conditions frequently experienced in South Africa.
“In the event of a collision requiring the airbag to deploy, the airbag inflator may rupture with excessive force, potentially causing serious injury or even death,” said Citroen.
“The replacement will return these Citroen C3 and DS3 models to original safety design specification.”
The automaker implores all owners of these vehicles to visit their nearest dealership with haste so that the replacement can be completed, which will be done in under two hours.
To find out whether their car is affected and arrange a replacement, owners can contact 0860 738 472 and press 2, or alternatively visit the dedicated recall page on the automaker’s website and punch in their VIN.
Fortunately, Citroen said that the recently launched C3, which was introduced in 2023, is not part of the recall campaign.
Takata recall
The Takata airbag debacle is one of the largest recall campaigns the automotive industry has ever seen, affecting tens of millions of units.
It has been ongoing since late 2014 with over 100 million Takata airbag inflators being recalled during this time by more than 20 different automakers, including Acura, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Mazda, Nissan, Pontiac, and Toyota.
To date, the faulty airbags have been linked to as many as 22 deaths and over 180 known injuries around the globe, as per the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Competition Commission.
Automakers have gone to extreme lengths to get these vehicles repaired and safely back on the road, but noted that they are unable to track down second, third, and fourth owners of affected cars as most of the original owners have long since upgraded to newer wheels.
It’s therefore worth checking if your car is equipped with Takata airbags and whether they have been replaced, regardless of brand or age.
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