Petrifying Accident in Reims: A Family Lost, a City in Shock
New lethal airbag accident associated with Takata in Reims
On a fateful June 11th, the concrete jungle of Reims echoed with sorrow as a tragic accident claimed a life on the high-speed road that cuts through the heart of the city. heart-wrenchingly, a minor, just 14 years old, was also injured. This isn't the first tragedy in the area, regrettably, it's the second incident reported here, while an alarming 17 such incidents have been reported in overseas territories since 2016 (as per Radio France Investigation Cell, who launched an investigation into this scandal back in January of last year).
The Silent Time Bomb: Recognizing Your Vulnerable Car
Sadly, over 30 accidents across the nation have occurred, with approximately 15 individuals sustaining injuries. This is the first instance where the north of France has been impacted by this harrowing series of events.
On that heart-rending June 11th, the victim—a woman in her forties—endeavored to evade a hefty goods vehicle and collided with the safety barrier of the high-speed road. Her airbag was deployed, but it was the severity of her facial injuries that left rescuers stunned upon arrival. These injuries bore striking resemblance to the traumatic wounds inflicted by Takata airbags, a Japanese manufacturer that has been found guilty of deception and collusion in the U.S., back in 2017.
Takata had intentionally concealed that the propellant capsules in their airbags could explode, launching metal shards at supersonic speeds into the car's interior. The company, in effect, enabled countless manufacturers to install these potentially lethal airbags on millions of vehicles worldwide. The Reims prosecutor has now handed the case over to the specialized interregional jurisdiction in Paris, responsible for managing all investigations into these defective airbag-related incidents.
No Recall Letter, No Warning: A Recurring Dilemma
According to our intelligence, the deceased woman had not received a recall letter to replace the airbag in her 2014 Citroën C3. Stellantis—Citroën's parent company—had indeed initiated recalls for 236,000 C3 and DS3 vehicles in northern France, back in February, with a stern "stop driving" directive for the oldest models from 2009 to 2013.
As per Radio France Investigation Cell's count, this unfortunate incident marks the second fatal incident in the metropolitan area, following another in November 2023 in the southwest of France. However, it is the 19th fatal incident in France, since the first occurred in overseas territories, the first identified case dating back to 2016 in Réunion. The destruction of the gas capsules accelerates faster under the influence of humidity and heat. Yet, experiences from the U.S. scandal demonstrate that accidents have occurred over time in varied climates.
Wake Up Call: Alert Radio France Investigation Cell:
To discreetly and securely share information with the Radio France Investigation Cell, visit alerter.radiofrance.fr (New window)
To ascertain if your car falls victim to the Takata airbag crisis in France, you can perform the following checks:
- Keep an Eye on Official Notifications: Affected vehicle owners should receive a letter from their car manufacturer or an official body, informing them of the issue, repair requirements, and details of the nearest authorized dealer for the work.
- Use Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Utilize your car's VIN—located on your "carte grise" (registration certificate)—to check recalls on official recall databases or manufacturer websites[2].
- Explore Manufacturer Recall Pages: Major car manufacturers, like Mercedes-Benz, have online platforms where you can input your VIN and check if your vehicle is subject to any ongoing recalls, including those related to Takata airbags[2].
- Check Independent Recall Databases: Websites like car-recalls.eu consolidate information on car recalls across the EU, helping you confirm if your model and year are included in any recall action[3].
If you have any doubts or don't receive notification, feel free to independently verify online using your VIN or get in touch with your dealership directly for confirmation.
- The tragic car accident in Reims has brought light to the issue of defective Takata airbags, which have already resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities, with at least 19 reported incidents in France since 2016.
- It's crucial for vehicle owners to stay informed about recalls related to Takata airbags, as failing to replace the airbag in a vehicle could lead to serious accidents, as seen in the recent incident in Reims.
- To determine if your vehicle is affected by the Takata airbag crisis, use your car's VIN to check official recall databases, manufacturer websites, or independent recall databases like car-recalls.eu.
- If you are unsure about the status of your vehicle, reach out to your dealership for direct confirmation or check online using your VIN to ensure your car's safety.
