Honda has announced the recall of 10,851 vehicles due to defective Takata airbags, following Mazda’s recall of 11,181 Demio models over passenger airbag issues last week, bringing the total number of affected vehicles in Cyprus to 21,032.
The Department of Road Transport (DRT) has advised owners to cease using these vehicles until receiving specific instructions from the manufacturer’s distributor.
Vehicle owners are directed to contact Galatariotis Motors, the manufacturer’s distributor in Cyprus, for further guidance.
The recall affects vehicles registered in Cyprus years ago that are equipped with the defective Takata airbags.
Officials warn that these airbags become increasingly dangerous over time, posing a serious risk of injury when deployed.
DRT officials are holding separate meetings with distributors this week and expect other companies to follow Honda and Mazda’s lead.
The department is documenting each company’s specific circumstances, including anticipated recall numbers, service capacity, additional staffing needs, spare parts availability, estimated timeframes for completing all recalls, and interim solutions until replacement parts arrive.
The department will also meet with importers to emphasise their responsibilities under European regulations and national legislation.
According to regulations, importers are responsible for implementing recalls, even when carried out by authorised service centres. This includes gathering information from distributors, monitoring the recall process, and keeping the DRT informed.
The airbag recall is considered a high-priority safety issue, prompting the DRT to recommend that owners stop driving affected vehicles until receiving further instructions from the manufacturer’s distributor or until their airbags are replaced. (/in-cyprus.philenews)
