Faulty Airbags: Are Your Imported Cars Safe?

The usage of specific car brands with defective airbags has prompted a warning to member nations from the Competition Commission of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa).

The Commission stressed the importance of informing consumers in the Comesa region, especially due to the high importation rates of used cars. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

The usage of specific car brands with defective airbags has prompted a warning to member nations from the Competition Commission of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa). Globally, these flaws have already caused deaths and serious injuries, according to the report by The EastAfican.

Models and Brands Affected

The Commission emphasised that the most recent recalls in the US and Japan involve a number of car brands, including Ford, Nissan, Honda, Toyota, and Mazda, that were produced between 2002 and 2015. There’s a chance that these cars entered the Comesa area and caused concern.

The Danger of Takata Airbags

The now-defunct Japanese manufacturer Takata Corporation produced the problematic airbags in question. Over 180 injuries and at least 22 deaths have been connected to these airbags worldwide.

High Level of Used Car Importation

The Commission underlined how many secondhand cars are imported into the area, mostly from Japan. For example, last year Kenya imported over 62,000 secondhand cars, of which nearly 94% came from Japan.

Understanding Product Recalls

In a product recall, consumers’ defective or potentially dangerous products are retrieved, and compensation is given. Usually, this is the result of worries about user safety arising from manufacturing flaws that could cause injury.

Global Recall Impact

Due to malfunctioning airbags, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a “Do Not Drive” advisory for 11 car brands in May, including Pontiac, Acura, BMW, Chrysler, Infiniti, and Dodge. More than 100 million Takata airbags have been recalled as of January of this year, forcing the company into bankruptcy.

Replacing and Taking Safety Measures

Even after ownership changes, recall cars may still be returned to the original manufacturers for replacement of the defective parts, provided the vehicle remains undamaged.

Customers in the Comesa region can guarantee their safety on the roads by keeping themselves informed about these recalls and taking the appropriate safety procedures.