VW urges Zimbabwe owners to respond to airbag recall – The Zimbabwe Mail

📅 Published: August 18, 2025

📰 Source: thezimbabwemail_enhanced

Curated by AllZimNews.com

The issue stems from the Takata airbag inflators, which can degrade over time due to prolonged exposure to high humidity and heat.

This degradation can cause the airbag to deploy with excessive force, sending shrapnel into the cabin.

The Takata recall is one of the largest in automotive history, affecting millions of vehicles worldwide across multiple brands, including Toyota, Honda, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Nissan, among others.

Volkswagen has identified several models that may be affected, including 2006–2007 Passat sedans, 2012–2014 Passat models, 2017 Passat wagons, and 2017–2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible models.

While these are the primary vehicles under review, owners of other Volkswagen models are also encouraged to check whether their cars are part of the recall.

CFAO Mobility Zimbabwe has stressed the urgency of the matter, warning that even vehicles that appear to be functioning normally could carry the defect.

The company has urged all Volkswagen owners to locate their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is typically found on the lower corner of the windscreen or in registration documents, and check it against the recall database on Volkswagen’s official website or through local dealerships.

If a vehicle is confirmed to be affected, Volkswagen will replace the airbags at no cost, with repairs carried out by trained technicians at authorised dealerships to ensure the highest safety standards.

CFAO Mobility Zimbabwe has assured customers that the process will be handled quickly and efficiently to minimise inconvenience.

The company is also running awareness campaigns to ensure that owners act promptly, noting that Zimbabwe’s climate-characterised by high heat and humidity in many regions-can accelerate the airbag inflator degradation.

Industry experts have stressed that recalls should not be seen as a reflection of a brand’s reliability but rather as a proactive measure to protect drivers.

The Takata defect is a global issue impacting nearly every major carmaker, and failing to address it could have life-threatening consequences in the event of a collision.