RECALL OF SOME MOTOR VEHICLES DUE TO DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATORS

The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has been made aware of information regarding the recall of some motor vehicle models due to defective Takata airbag inflators.  The affected vehicles include models from 2000 to 2015. So far, the faulty airbags have been linked to 22 deaths and more than 180 known injuries worldwide.

According to a Safety Recall Notice by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Takata airbag inflator may, over time, create excessive internal pressure resulting in the rupture of its body upon deployment thereby causing metal fragments to pass the airbag and cushion material and cause injury or death to vehicle occupants.  

CFTC has further been informed that in May 2024, the NHTSA issued a “Do Not Drive” warning to owners of the following vehicles:

BRANDMODEL
1ToyotaCertain 2004-2005 Toyota Rav 4
Certain 2003-2004 Corollas including Matrix
2NissanCertain 2002-2006 Nissan Sentras
Certain 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinders
3Honda2001-2002 Honda Accord
2001-2002 Honda Civic
2002 Honda CRV
2002 Honda Odyssey
2002 Honda Pilot
4MazdaCertain 2006 Mazda B Series
5FordCertain 2006 Ford Rangers
6PontiacCertain 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibes
7Acura2002-2003 Acura 3.2 TL
2003 Acura 3.2 CL
8BMWCertain 2000-2006 BMW 3 Series (E46) including M3
Certain 2000-2003 BMW 5 Series (E39) including M5
Certain 2000-2004 BMW X5s (E53)
9Chrysler2005-2010 Chrysler 300
10InfinitiCertain 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4s
11Dodge2005-2010 Dodge Magnum
2005-2010 Dodge Charger
2005-2010 Dodge Challenger
2003 Dodge Ram 1500

CFTC also established that in 2017, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Japan issued a statement conditioning the repair of vehicles with Takata airbags before they were presented for inspection and notified the public that 18 people worldwide had been killed due to the abnormal explosions. Toyota went ahead to provide the link below for consumers to check which vehicles were subject to the Takata airbag recall: https://www.toyota.co.jp/recall-search/dc/en/search


The NHTSA has also provided the link below to their website, where consumers can confirm the recall status of their cars, using the vehicle identification Number (VIN): https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls


CFTC, therefore, wishes to alert consumers and traders on the ongoing developments on the Takata airbags. The general public is encouraged to verify if their vehicles are affected by the ongoing recalls and report to the CFTC through the following:
. Toll Free Line: 2489
. WhatsApp: +265 987 738 749
For media enquiries on this statement, contact Mr. Innocent Helema on +265 880 725 075 or email innocent.helema@cftc.mw.

Lloyds Vincent Nkhoma
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER