Malawi Consumer Agency Warns of Deadly Airbag Defect in Vehicles
The CFTC's warning underscores the importance of addressing these safety issues, even in older vehicle models still on Malawian roads.
LILONGWE, Malawi— Malawi's Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued a warning about potentially deadly airbag defects affecting multiple vehicle brands, some dating back to the year 2000, writes Winston Mwale.
The CFTC reported Wednesday that faulty Takata airbag inflators have been linked to 22 deaths and over 180 injuries worldwide.
The defect can cause excessive internal pressure, leading to ruptures during deployment and potentially propelling metal fragments into vehicle occupants.
Lloyds Vincent Nkhoma, Chief Executive Officer of CFTC, stated, "We wish to alert consumers and traders on the ongoing developments on the Takata airbags."
The warning follows a "Do Not Drive" notice issued by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in May 2024.
Affected vehicles include certain models from Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Ford, Pontiac, Acura, BMW, Chrysler, Infiniti, and Dodge manufactured between 2000 and 2015.
The CFTC is urging Malawian vehicle owners to verify if their cars are subject to the recall.
Toyota has provided an online tool for consumers to check their vehicles, while the NHTSA offers a similar service using Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).
Malawian consumers are encouraged to report any concerns to the CFTC through their toll-free line or WhatsApp.
This recall highlights ongoing safety concerns with Takata airbags, which have been the subject of widespread global recalls since 2013.
The CFTC's warning underscores the importance of addressing these safety issues, even in older vehicle models still on Malawian roads.