More than 1.2 million vehicles in South Africa may still have outstanding Takata airbag recalls, prompting a national safety campaign urging motorists to check whether their vehicles require a free replacement.

naamsa | The Automotive Business Council, together with participating vehicle manufacturers, launched the National Takata Airbag Recall Campaign on 4 August 2026. The campaign aims to reach motorists who may have missed previous recall notices, particularly where vehicles have changed ownership.

The Takata recall affects certain vehicles because of a safety issue with the airbag inflator. In the event of a crash, an affected inflator can malfunction and potentially cause serious injury. Vehicle owners whose cars are affected can have the recalled airbag replaced free of charge through an authorised manufacturer or dealership.

The campaign will run across all nine provinces over the next 12 months, using media, dealerships, community outreach and digital platforms to encourage motorists to check their vehicles.

For communities such as Diepsloot, where many vehicles are bought second-hand or may have changed owners several times, motorists are encouraged not to assume that a previous owner dealt with a recall.

Motorists can check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and contact the vehicle manufacturer’s authorised dealership or recall platform to find out whether their vehicle is affected.

If a vehicle is listed as having an outstanding Takata airbag recall, owners should arrange a replacement with an authorised dealership. The repair is provided at no cost to the vehicle owner.

naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa said the campaign is intended to make recall information more accessible to motorists and encourage vehicle owners to take action.

The message to motorists is simple: check your VIN, share the information with family and neighbours, and do not ignore a recall.

One check could help protect you and your passengers.