Opel announces major recall over Takata airbags affecting more than 900,000 cars

Opel has announced a large-scale vehicle recall due to a potential defect in Takata airbags. Worldwide, the campaign covers more than 900,000 cars; in Germany, it involves 8,705 vehicles.

What the defect is

The issue concerns the gas inflator in the driver’s airbag. When the airbag deploys, the pressure inside the module may be too high, which can cause the housing to rupture and send metal fragments into the vehicle cabin.

This scenario presents a risk of serious injury to both the driver and passengers.

Which models are affected

The recall applies to Astra, Cascada, Meriva, Mokka, Vectra, Zafira and Signum vehicles built between 2003 and 2018. For some cars, owners are advised to stop using the vehicle temporarily until the repair has been completed.

In Germany there is no formal driving ban, but restrictions do apply to certain vehicles that were previously imported from Southern European countries.

What owners should do

Opel will contact owners directly. You can also check whether your car is included in the campaign using the VIN on the official website or via a dealer. The airbag replacement will be carried out free of charge.

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