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Airbags and safety

Problems with Takata airbags: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 47 faults with Takata airbags in 47 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: takata airbags with a defective inflator (Mercedes-Benz Clase A W176, Mercedes-Benz Clase C W204 and Mercedes-Benz Clase E W212), takata airbags on the first vehicles (2014-2016) (Mercedes-Benz Clase C W205) and takata airbag recall over risk of rupture (Škoda Octavia III).

Documented faults
47
47 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
47
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
47
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

8 sourcesHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Takata airbags

Takata airbag inflators used ammonium nitrate without a desiccant, a compound that degrades with heat and humidity. Over the years, the inflator can explode with too much force and throw metal fragments into the cabin. It affects tens of millions of cars from many brands, with successive campaigns for more than a decade.

What to do

Use the VIN, on the brand's website or at the official dealer, to check whether your car is affected. The replacement is free. On some models the manufacturer has asked owners not to use the car (stop drive) until the airbag is replaced: follow that instruction.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with Takata airbags. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with Takata airbags by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1Critical severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentMercedes-Benz Clase A W176Takata airbags with a defective inflatorYes: A-Class cars built up to 2016 fall under the European programme to replace Takata airbag inflators, which can degrade with humidity and heat and fragment when deployed.
  2. 2Critical severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentMercedes-Benz Clase C W204Takata airbags with a defective inflatorYes: C-Class cars built up to 2016 - which covers the whole W204 production - fall within the European Takata airbag inflator replacement programme; the inflators can degrade with humidity and heat and fragment on deployment.
  3. 3Critical severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentMercedes-Benz Clase C W205Takata airbags on the first vehicles (2014-2016)C-Class vehicles built up to 2016, including the first W205s, fall under the Takata airbag inflator replacement programme; the inflators can degrade with humidity and heat and fragment when deployed.
  4. 4Critical severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentMercedes-Benz Clase E W212Takata airbags with a defective inflatorYes: E-Class cars built up to 2016 - which covers the whole W212 production run - fall within the European Takata airbag inflator replacement programme, as the inflators can degrade with humidity and heat and fragment on deployment.
  5. 5Critical severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentŠkoda Octavia IIITakata airbag recall over risk of ruptureYes: the Octavia III built between June 2012 and December 2017 falls within the worldwide Takata airbag recall, whose gas generator can degrade over time and with humidity and throw metal fragments when it deploys. Replacement of the affected airbag is free at the official network.Repair: €0
  6. 6Critical severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentŠkoda Superb IIITakata airbag recall due to risk of ruptureYes: the Superb III built between June 2012 and December 2017 (its earliest units, as the model launched in 2015) falls within the worldwide Takata airbag recall, whose inflator can degrade with age and humidity and throw metal fragments when it deploys.Repair: €0
  7. 7Critical severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentToyota Auris IIThe Takata driver's airbag inflator can degrade and fragment when deployedOn units built between 2006 and 2017, the propellant in the Takata inflator of the driver's airbag can degrade over time and with humidity; if the airbag deploys, the inflator can rupture and throw metal fragments at the occupants. Toyota fixes it by replacing the inflator free of charge at the official dealer.
  8. 8Critical severityCommonFrequency: CommonAudi A4 B8Takata recall: the front airbag can fragment in an impactYes: campaign 69EQ covers A4s (and S4s) built between 23 February 2004 and 3 August 2011 because the Takata inflator can degrade with moisture and project metal fragments when it deploys. The check and, where appropriate, replacement of the inflator are free at the official network.Repair: €0
  9. 9Critical severityCommonFrequency: CommonSeat AtecaTakata airbag with a risk of inflator ruptureOn very early Ateca vehicles (2016-2017) an airbag with a Takata inflator may be fitted that, in a real accident, could generate excessive pressure and cause the casing to rupture and throw out fragments. It is a Seat campaign covering around 300,000 cars across five models; you check it by chassis number.Repair: €0
  10. 10Critical severityCommonFrequency: CommonSeat Ibiza IVTakata recall: the passenger airbag may fragment in a crashYes: campaign 69EC covers Ibizas built between 15 June 2012 and 6 September 2017 because the Takata propellant in the passenger airbag can degrade with moisture and release metal fragments on deployment. The inspection and, where necessary, replacement of the inflator are free at official dealers.
  11. 11Critical severityCommonFrequency: CommonŠkoda Fabia IITakata recall: the driver's airbag may fragment in a crashYes: campaign 69DU covers Fabias built between 1 June 2012 and the end of this generation (2014) because the Takata propellant in the driver's airbag can degrade with moisture and throw out metal fragments on deployment. The inspection and, where necessary, replacement of the inflator are free at official dealers.
  12. 12Critical severityCommonFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Polo VTakata recall: the front airbag can fragment in a crashYes: campaign 69EJ/69AF covers Polos built between 30 May 2008 and 13 August 2014 (the early years of this fifth generation) because the Takata propellant in the front airbag can degrade with moisture and release metal fragments when it deploys. The inspection and, where necessary, replacement of the inflator are free at official dealers.
  13. 13Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A4 B5Driver's airbag recall over Takata NADI inflator (1997-1999 and 2000-2001 campaigns)Yes: Audi and the EU authorities have included the A4 built between 1997 and 2001 in campaigns over the Takata NADI driver's airbag inflator, which with age may not protect as it should in a crash. The remedy is to inspect the airbag and replace the gas generator at an official service centre; the German press speaks of about an hour's work.
  14. 14Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A4 B7Campaigns over the Takata front airbag gas generatorsYes: the A4 B7 is included in campaign 69EQ, which covers cars built between 23 February 2004 and 3 August 2011 because the front airbag inflator can degrade and throw metal fragments when it deploys. fiches-auto.fr also documents a December 2020 campaign for a different risk, moisture getting into the generator, for cars from 2005 onwards.Repair: €0
  15. 15Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A6 C6Takata recall: the front airbag can fragment in a crash (campaign 69EQ)Yes: campaign 69EQ covers A6, S6, A6 allroad quattro and RS6 models built between 23 February 2004 and 3 August 2011 because the Takata front airbag inflator can degrade with moisture and throw metal fragments when it deploys. The inspection and, where necessary, the replacement are free of charge at the official network.Repair: €0
  16. 16Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 1 E87Risk of driver's airbag inflator rupture (Takata)Yes: the 1 Series E87 is covered by BMW's European campaign for the Takata driver's airbag inflator, whose chemical propellant can degrade over time and, if the airbag deploys, throw out fragments that injure the occupants.
  17. 17Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 3 E46Campaigns over the Takata gas generators in the front and passenger airbagsYes: the 3 Series E46 is included in several successive BMW campaigns (between 2014 and 2026) over the Takata gas generators in the driver and passenger airbags, which can degrade over the years and throw metal fragments when they deploy. The most recent ones cover cars built between 1998 and 2006.Repair: €0
  18. 18Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 3 E90Campaigns over the Takata driver's airbag gas generatorsYes: the 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 is included in BMW's successive worldwide campaigns over the Takata driver's airbag gas generators, which can degrade over time and throw out metal fragments when deployed. The broadest, from May 2026, covers vehicles built between January 2006 and June 2015; an earlier one, from March 2024, had already covered older cars from 2004 and 2005.Repair: €0
  19. 19Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 E60Risk of the driver airbag inflator rupturing (Takata)Yes: BMW recalled the 5 Series E60 because the Takata driver airbag inflator can degrade over time and, if the airbag deploys, throw out fragments that injure the occupants; the campaign (European alert A12/02573/24) covers its entire production run.
  20. 20Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW X3 E83Risk of the driver's airbag inflator rupturing (Takata)Yes: BMW has issued three successive campaigns for the X3 E83 over the Takata driver's airbag inflator, whose chemical propellant can degrade over time and, if the airbag deploys, throw out fragments that injure the occupants.
  21. 21Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C3 IIDefective Takata airbags: «Stop Drive» campaign (2009-2017 production)Citroën issued a «Stop Drive» safety campaign for second-generation C3s built between 2009 and 2017 because of the risk of the Takata airbag inflator rupturing and projecting metal fragments into the cabin; in France at least one fatal accident has been confirmed because of this defect.
  22. 22Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalHonda Civic IXTakata airbag: risk of abnormal inflator deployment on the Honda Civic IXAccording to the fiches-auto.fr page, Honda issued a Takata airbag recall that affects the Honda Civic IX. Check with a Honda dealer, using the chassis number (VIN), whether your unit is included.
  23. 23Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalHonda Jazz IITakata airbag: risk of abnormal inflator deployment on the Honda Jazz IIAccording to the fiches-auto.fr entry, Honda launched a Takata airbag recall that affects the Honda Jazz II. Check with the chassis number (VIN) at a Honda dealer whether your unit is included.
  24. 24Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda CX-7Takata recall: the passenger airbag inflator can rupture on deploymentYes: Safety Gate lists an alert on Mazda CX-7s built between 1 January 2007 and 12 June 2009 because the ammonium nitrate propellant in the front passenger airbag inflator can degrade with heat and humidity, rupture the inflator on deployment and throw out metal fragments.
  25. 25Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase A W169Takata airbags with a faulty driver's airbag gas generatorYes: Mercedes-Benz recalled A-Class W169 cars built between 2004 and 2012 (more than a million units worldwide) because the Takata gas generator in the driver's airbag can deploy in an uncontrolled way and release metal fragments.
  26. 26Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase M / GLE W166Takata recall: driver and passenger airbags with ammonium nitrate inflatorsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr page, Mercedes launched a campaign in September 2020 over the driver and passenger Takata airbags, whose gas can degrade over time, on vehicles built up to 2016. Check your chassis number with an official dealer.
  27. 27Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase R W251Takata airbags with ammonium nitrate gas generatorThe R-Class is in Mercedes' European recall for Takata airbags of September 2020: the ammonium nitrate gas generators in the driver and passenger airbags can degrade and rupture on deployment. It affects 2006 to 2013 units.
  28. 28Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz GL X164Takata airbags with an ammonium nitrate gas generatorThe GL appears in Mercedes recalls for Takata airbags: in 2020 the European alert covered models built between 2004 and 2016, and in 2023 the campaign was extended to the 2007-2012 GL because of the driver's airbag gas generator, which can deploy uncontrollably and throw out fragments.
  29. 29Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOpel Astra HTakata recall: the driver's airbag inflator can fragmentYes: a European campaign registered in Safety Gate/RAPEX covers Astra Hs built from 19 January 2005 because of a defect in the Takata driver's airbag inflator, which can inflate in an uncontrolled way and throw out metal fragments when it deploys. The inspection and, where appropriate, replacement of the inflator are free at official dealers.
  30. 30Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOpel Zafira BTakata recall: the driver's airbag inflator can fragmentYes: a European recall registered in Safety Gate/RAPEX covers Zafira B cars built between October 2010 and 2014 because of a Takata driver's airbag inflator defect, which can inflate uncontrollably and project metal fragments when deployed. Inspection and, where necessary, replacement of the inflator are free at official dealers.
  31. 31Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSeat Alhambra IITakata recalls: driver and passenger airbags may fragmentYes: the Alhambra II has three Takata campaigns on Safety Gate (69GH, 69FT and 69EC) over inflators whose propellant can degrade and throw fragments when deploying. Check with your VIN at an official service centre whether you are affected.
  32. 32Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSeat AlteaTakata recall: the driver's airbag may fragment in a crashYes: campaign 69FT covers Altea cars built between 29 June 2012 and 2 August 2013, because the Takata propellant in the driver's airbag can degrade and release metal fragments when it deploys. The inspection and, where necessary, replacement of the inflator are free at official dealers.
  33. 33Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSeat Toledo IVTakata driver's airbag inflator at risk of rupture (campaign 69EC)Yes: Seat's campaign 69EC covers Toledo cars built between 15 June 2012 and 6 September 2017 because the airbag inflator can degrade and rupture on deployment, throwing out metal fragments. Germany's KBA describes it as a fault in the driver's airbag gas generator.
  34. 34Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda Superb IITakata airbag recall over rupture risk (two successive campaigns)Yes: the Superb II built from 1 June 2012 is included in the worldwide Takata airbag recall, according to motorpasion.com and coches.com. auto-motor-und-sport.de also documents a second wave of the same campaign (code 69DU, KBA reference 012656) after the first, a sign that the first did not resolve the problem on every car.Repair: €0
  35. 35Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota Yaris IThe Takata driver's airbag inflator can burst and throw out metal fragmentsSeveral successive Toyota campaigns, the latest in 2024, cover first-generation Yaris cars over the Takata driver's airbag inflator: the ammonium nitrate propellant degrades with age and can make the airbag burst with metal fragments instead of inflating normally.
  36. 36Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota Yaris IIThe Takata driver's airbag inflator can burst and throw metal fragmentsSeveral successive Toyota recalls, the latest in 2024, cover second-generation Yaris for the Takata driver's airbag inflator: the ammonium nitrate propellant degrades with age and can make the airbag burst with metal fragments instead of inflating normally.
  37. 37Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota Yaris IIIThe Takata driver's airbag inflator can rupture and throw metal fragmentsSeveral successive Toyota campaigns, the latest in 2024, recall Yaris models built up to 2017 over the Takata driver's airbag inflator: the ammonium nitrate propellant degrades with age and can make the airbag rupture and spray metal fragments instead of inflating normally.
  38. 38Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Crafter ITakata airbag recall: inflators that can rupture on deploymentYes: Volkswagen has opened several campaigns in Europe for airbag inflators (Takata and others with degraded propellant) that can rupture on deployment and project metal fragments. They affect Crafters built between late 2005 and 2017, depending on the batch; check with the chassis number (VIN).
  39. 39Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Polo IVTwo successive Takata campaigns cover the front airbag on cars built between 2007 and 2009Yes: Polo IV (9N) cars built between 2007 and 2009 are covered by two successive Takata front airbag campaigns (69DG, from 2022, and 69EJ, from 2023, with a wider build window) because the propellant can degrade and release metal fragments when the airbag deploys. The check is free at official dealers.
  40. 40Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Transporter T5Takata recall: the airbag inflator can fragment in a collisionYes: campaign 69EJ covers Transporter T5 vans built between April 2007 and September 2010 because the propellant in the Takata inflator can be defective and release fragments when the airbag deploys.
  41. 41Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Transporter T6Takata recall: the airbag inflator can fragment in a crashYes: campaign 69EJ (69AF) includes 2015 to 2017 Transporter T6 vans because the propellant in the Takata inflator can degrade with humidity and temperature changes and release fragments when it deploys.
  42. 42Critical severityRareFrequency: RareFord Mondeo VTakata airbag recallThe Ford Mondeo V is included in the worldwide recall for defective airbag inflators made by Takata, which in rare cases can fragment violently when the airbag deploys.
  43. 43Critical severityRareFrequency: RareToyota Auris IThe driver's airbag Takata inflator can degrade and fragmentA European safety alert (Safety Gate, Rapex 26/2024) covers Auris cars built between 2006 and 2017 for the same Takata inflator defect that affected millions of cars of many makes worldwide: the propellant can degrade over time and release metal fragments when the airbag deploys. An official Toyota dealer inspects the vehicle free of charge if it falls within the affected batch.
  44. 44Critical severityRareFrequency: RareToyota Corolla IXThe Takata driver's airbag inflator can degrade and fragmentA European safety alert (Safety Gate, Rapex 26/2024) covers Corolla units built between 1999 and 2017 for the same Takata inflator defect that affected millions of cars of many brands worldwide: the propellant can degrade over time and release metal fragments when the airbag deploys. The official Toyota dealer checks the vehicle free of charge within the affected batch.
  45. 45Critical severityRareFrequency: RareToyota RAV4 IIIThe driver's airbag Takata inflator can degrade and fragmentA European safety alert (Safety Gate, Rapex 26/2024) covers RAV4s built between 1999 and 2017 for the same Takata inflator defect that affected millions of cars from many brands worldwide: the propellant can degrade over time and release metal fragments when the airbag deploys. An official Toyota dealer checks the vehicle free of charge if it is in the affected batch.
  46. 46Critical severityRareFrequency: RareToyota RAV4 IVThe Takata driver airbag inflator can degrade and fragmentA European campaign (Rapex 26/2024) covers RAV4s built up to 2017 for the same Takata inflator defect that affected millions of cars worldwide: the propellant can degrade over time and release metal fragments when the airbag deploys. Toyota inspects the vehicle for free at an authorised dealer.
  47. 47Critical severityRareFrequency: RareVolkswagen Golf IVDriver airbag recall campaign on units with a wooden steering wheel (1997-2000)Yes, but it is a very limited campaign: codes 69AR/69CO cover only Golfs (and Passats) built between 5 November 1997 and 20 August 2000 fitted with a wooden steering wheel, because of a Takata gas generator (NADI line) in the driver's airbag that might not guarantee its full restraint function in an accident. In total, 4,895 vehicles worldwide across both codes.

Problems with Takata airbags by make

How much it costs to repair a fault with Takata airbags

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

Frequently asked questions

Which cars have problems with Takata airbags?

Among those we have analysed: Mercedes-Benz Clase A W176 (takata airbags with a defective inflator), Mercedes-Benz Clase C W204 (takata airbags with a defective inflator), Mercedes-Benz Clase C W205 (takata airbags on the first vehicles (2014-2016)), Mercedes-Benz Clase E W212 (takata airbags with a defective inflator), Škoda Octavia III (takata airbag recall over risk of rupture), Škoda Superb III (takata airbag recall due to risk of rupture), Toyota Auris II (the Takata driver's airbag inflator can degrade and fragment when deployed) and Audi A4 B8 (takata recall: the front airbag can fragment in an impact). In total, 47 cars with documented faults with Takata airbags.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with Takata airbags?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At a dealer, from €0 to €0, including VAT, based on the 9 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is takata airbag recall over risk of rupture (Škoda Octavia III).

What symptoms does a fault with Takata airbags cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: airbag warning light on.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. 1.¿Tienes un Audi, un Skoda o un BMW fabricado entre 2004 y 2017? Ojo, podrían explotarle los airbagsAutofacil · Motoring press · published 19 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. 2.Si tienes uno de estos BMW, Skoda o Audi, tendrás que pasar por el taller: su airbag puede disparar metrallaMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 4 May 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. 3.Audi A4 (2004-2011): recall by Takata airbagcar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. 4.Seat llama a revisión a 300.000 coches por problemas en los airbags. Cómo actuar si nuestro coche está afectadoXataka · General press · published 31 October 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. 5.Seguimos a vueltas con los airbags defectuosos de Takata: ojo si tienes un Audi, BMW o Skoda de hace unos añosCoches.com · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. 6.Fiabilité BMW Série 3 (1998-2005)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. 7.Defekte Takata-Airbags: Mega-Rückruf bei BMWADAC · Consumer association · published 20 May 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. 8.Takata-Airbags: BMW-Rückruf für 460.000 GebrauchtwagenAuto Motor und Sport · Motoring press · published 11 July 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German