in-cyprus 5 February 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The Road Transport Department has ordered a recall of 82,000 vehicles fitted with dangerous Takata airbags, with authorities immediately suspending road permits for 138 high-risk vehicles.
The transport ministry has requested all distributors to update their records after discovering numerous inconsistencies in the initial recall notifications sent to vehicle owners.
The recall affects vehicles that were either actively registered or declared as immobilised as of November 14, 2024. Officials acknowledged that many owners who received recall notices had already replaced their airbags through authorised dealers.
Authorities are investigating complaints about data accuracy provided by the University of Cyprus’s KIOS Centre of Excellence, which assisted the transport department in extracting information from a New Zealand database.
The transport department acknowledged that KIOS’s analysis, based on airbag recall information from other countries, may not be exhaustive. Sources told Filenews that some vehicles included in the KIOS analysis had their airbags replaced by manufacturers before arriving in Cyprus.
Two major distributors, handling more than 50 per cent of the total recalls, are charging administrative fees for replacement procedures. One company charges €160, whilst another charges €120, specifically for vehicles not purchased directly through their dealerships.
Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades said manufacturers would cover replacement costs, but administrative charges fall under consumer protection jurisdiction. He clarified that whilst European-type approved vehicles are covered by manufacturers, recall responsibility for Japanese imports lies with the first market distributor.
Owners who have already replaced their airbags are urged to email proof to recalls@rtd.mcw.gov.cy for record updates. The department advised against using affected vehicles where possible, suggesting alternative transport options to minimise risk.
The Competition Protection Service has completed an investigation into administrative fees, concluding that the charges do not violate unfair commercial practices legislation.
Most importing companies are not imposing any charges, acknowledging the situation’s severity.
Officials warned that the airbag inflator chemicals could degrade over time, potentially causing excessive deployment force during crashes, risking serious injury or death.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE AFFECTED BY RECALL
Road Transport Department Director George Louca on Tuesday urged owners of vehicles affected by the Takata airbag recall to contact their dealers immediately for replacement parts ordering.
The announcement follows transport minister’s recall orders issued Monday, affecting approximately 82,000 vehicles across the island.
The department has sent SMS notifications to registered owners with updated contact information, directing them to dealerships for parts ordering and eventual replacement scheduling.
“Owners shouldn’t wait for dealer letters. They should initiate contact now to place orders and secure appointments once parts arrive”, Louca told CyBC.
Addressing concerns about bulk ordering, Louca explained manufacturers would only reimburse replacements for vehicles that actually undergo the repair procedure.
Vehicle owners who haven’t received SMS notifications due to outdated contact information can check published recall lists to determine if their vehicles are affected. Others will receive postal notifications from dealers.
The transport department has established an online portal for contact information updates, accessible through both their website’s SMS registration section and vehicle licence renewal platform.
Owners who received recall notifications for potentially unaffected vehicles can contact the department at recalls@rtb.mcw.gov.cy for verification.
Police will conduct enforcement measures following owner notifications, with compliance becoming a matter of personal responsibility, Louca said.
Those who have already replaced their airbags but received recall notices will be removed from the list in subsequent updates, provided they have documentation of the replacement.
The director indicated additional vehicle models might be included in future recall notices, urging public patience during the replacement process.
