Warning! 441,000 Citroën Vehicles in Europe: Don't Drive 'Em, It's Dangerous as Hell
Defective Airbags Send Immediate Driving Hiatus for 441,000 Citroens - Immediate Halt on Road Usage: Over 441k Citroëns Due to Airbag Issues
Heads up, Citroën owners! Xavier Chardon, the chief honcho at Citroën, has spilled the beans to AFP that your ride might be a ticking time bomb. He's called for a "stop drive," which means if your vehicle's built between certain years and has those infamous Takata airbags, it's best to keep it parked until they get repaired. This move's prompted following the grim demise of a 37-year-old lady in a car crash on the Reims autobahn in early June. The culprit? You guessed it: a Takata airbag gone kaboom.
These faulty Takata airbags are a global menace, having been installed in countless cars worldwide. As a result, millions of these jalopies have been queuing up at garages since 2014 to get those dangerous airbags swapped out.
Oh, and here's a quick round-up of what's been happening in the EU:- France: Around 441,000 Citroën C3 and DS3 vehicles are affected, with roughly 82,000 of 'em in France alone.- Belgium: Stellantis Belgium is grounding all Citroën and DS vehicles with busted Takata airbags, discouraging owners from driving them until they're operational again.- Germany: Details about Germany's status in this recall haven't been explicitly mentioned, but since the "stop drive" order sweeps across Europe, it's safe to say German vehicles are part of the affected mob.
Now, remember, this Takata airbag business is a long-running saga that dates back to 2014. The deal is, the airbags' propellant decays over time, causing the inflator to detonate like a grenade, spewing metal shrapnel at passengers and potentially causing injuries or even fatalities.
So, Citroën vehicle owners, watch out! Your ride might be lethal. Check whether you're on the recall list and, if you are, park your car until the airbag issue gets sorted out. Better safe than sorry, right?
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of the directive in regards to the faulty Takata airbags within the automotive industry, including vehicles like the Citroën C3 and DS3, affecting over 441,000 vehicles in Europe. The finance and transportation sectors are closely monitoring this scenario, as the potential hazard posed by these airbags has already been linked to accidents in various parts of Europe.
