A recent government report sheds light on the challenges surrounding the management of the Takata airbag scandal in France, particularly highlighting the difficulty in compelling motorists to respond to recall notices.

The report indicates that France's vehicle recall process is significantly trailing behind other countries, such as Germany, where a greater percentage of vehicles are repaired within a year and a half of receiving a recall notice.

As of mid-2025, approximately 2.5 million vehicles in France are still equipped with hazardous Takata airbags, with 1.7 million of these vehicles currently under a 'stop drive' order due to safety concerns.

Despite the known dangers posed by Takata airbags, many vehicle owners opt to sell their cars rather than replace the airbags, with 20% of affected vehicles being resold instead of repaired.

The issue gained renewed attention following a fatal accident involving a Citroën C3 in June 2025, underscoring the widespread impact of the Takata airbag problem across nearly all automotive brands.

The report raises alarms about potential future fatalities due to flaws in the recall process, calling for more proactive measures to ensure that recalls are effectively completed.

To improve the situation, the report suggests that technical inspections could play a crucial role in alerting vehicle owners about recalls, as those informed through inspections are more likely to take prompt action.

Additionally, the report recommends implementing stricter regulations on the resale of vehicles under recall, including banning the sale of such vehicles and mandating that sellers inform buyers about existing recalls.