Toronto, Ontario — About 4,400 Volkswagen Beetles from model years 2015 and 2016 have been recalled across Canada, citing the presence of Takata-branded driver-side airbag inflators, which have been proven to explode and send fragments flying into the cabin during a collision.
According to Transport Canada, this defect stems from long term exposure to high humidity and temperature, along with temperature cycling which degrades the Takata airbag’s propellant and causes it to deploy with more force.
While Transport Canada says that this is a precautionary recall aimed at mitigating future risk due to the Canadian climate slowing chemical degradation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that rupturing Takata airbags in the United States have resulted in numerous injuries and deaths.
At the time of publishing, Transport Canada has only recalled 2015 to 2016 Volkswagen Beetles for exploding Takata airbags. However, the NHTSA has recalled 2012 to 2019 Beetles and Beetle Convertibles, along with 2011 to 2014 Passats.
For more information, visit Transport Canada or the NHTSA.
One Response