Takata scandal: why garage chains no longer want to deal with vehicles equipped with defective airbags

This is yet another hassle for drivers who own a car still equipped with a Takata airbag . TF1 noted on July 31 that several garage franchises were no longer accepting service for cars that still had an airbag from the Japanese manufacturer. This policy may have caused some confusion among some drivers. But a week later, major players in the sector, such as Speedy, Norauto, and Point S, are defending this decision.

Speedy confirmed to Libération that it had made this decision on July 29 following a press release published the same day by the Ministry of Transport, which strengthened manufacturers' safety and support obligations regarding vehicles equipped with these airbags. " If there is a proven risk for the motorist , there is therefore a risk both for Speedy customers but also for Speedy France employees and partners, who are required to work on the vehicle as part of its maintenance. The brand's employees are also regularly required to move the vehicle, sometimes having to carry out road tests before returning it," the company explains . In some cases, however, a compromise can be found, such as "for urgent intervention situations that do not require the Speedy technician to move the customer's vehicle . For example, for changing bulbs, Adblue, visual checks, etc."

Norauto explains that it no longer accepts vehicles affected by the "stop drive" directive, i.e., vehicles that are immobilized, into its workshops. "This measure aims to guarantee the safety of center employees," assures this network of 400 addresses, specifying that "only those presenting a manufacturer's compliance certificate will be able to be handled in Norauto centers." The garage specifies that vehicles that are only affected by a driver recall, and not by a "stop drive," can go to its workshops. The notable exception is interventions involving manipulation of the airbag system.

At Point S, which has 670 centers, they "prefer to redirect drivers equipped with Takata airbags to the manufacturers so that the airbag is replaced before taking them in." Feu Vert also assures Le Figaro that " airbag replacement is mandatory and must be carried out before any trip to one of our centers. This is not a refusal, but a safety duty." Midas, for its part, has not yet officially communicated on this subject.

The Ministry of Transport considers this precautionary measure "understandable" for vehicles affected by "stop drive" which, particularly during the test phase, require road use. It is nevertheless recalled that "there are no known cases of airbag explosions while the vehicle is stationary. Garages in these networks can therefore continue to carry out all work carried out in the garage on vehicles equipped with Takata airbags."

The ministry also emphasizes that airbag replacement is the responsibility of the car manufacturer , not the mechanics of non-affiliated networks. "Mechanics in these networks have a very important role in monitoring and controlling their work on vehicles," the ministry added to Libé. "They must alert drivers who may be equipped with Takata airbags and invite them to contact a Takata mechanic."