Takata air‑bag disaster forces French dealer to face huge liability charges

Takata Airbag Recall Sparks First French Criminal Charge

After Takata filed for bankruptcy in 2018, the company’s faulty airbags have prompted millions of vehicle recalls worldwide. France has now taken a historic step, filing the first criminal complaint on a dealer linked to the scandal.

Dealer Faces Charges for Ignoring Recall Warning

• In March, a Reunion island magistrate accused a car dealer of failing to alert a driver whose vehicle had been recalled.
• The driver was later injured when a Takata airbag sprayed metal fragments.
• The dealer denied responsibility, claiming it did not possess contact data for customers of a separate dealership it had acquired.

Legal Reactions and Investigations

French authorities have launched several investigations into fraud and endangerment linked to the recalls, though no public charges have yet been disclosed. The dealer’s lawyer is preparing to demonstrate that the dealer acted reasonably, citing that the severe danger of the airbags was unknown in 2020 and criticizing the French state for lacking customer contact information.

Recall Footprint and Fatalities

Since 2014, France has issued recall orders for a range of car models produced by the Japanese company. At least 18 deaths have been suspected, and in June a new recall ordered the removal of 1.7 million vehicles until replacements are installed.

While a criminal charge in France does not guarantee a case will advance to trial, the filing marks a turning point in the legal pursuit of accountability for the globally‑recalling Takata airbag controversy.