The transport ministry on Monday ordered the immediate suspension of 276 vehicles due to critical safety concerns involving Takata airbags and brake systems, whilst warning that up to 200,000 vehicles could be subject to recalls.
Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades said authorities have revoked roadworthiness certificates and cancelled vehicle registrations for 138 vehicles with Takata airbags and another 138 with brake system defects identified as posing immediate safety risks.
The ministry has published a list of the affected cars on its website.
Minister Vafeades said authorities have reduced the implementation period for completing recalls on approximately 82,000 additional vehicles with Takata airbags from 18 months to eight months, though these vehicles are not subject to immediate suspension.
“Since 2010, recalls for vehicles imported from third countries without European type approval have never been properly regulated. As a result, around 200,000 vehicles might be subject to recalls without their owners’ knowledge,” Vafeades said.
The minister announced two new decrees that establish a formal recall procedure and mandate immediate notification of the Road Transport Department (RTD) regarding new recalls.
Vehicle distributors must now immediately inform the RTD about all recalls, marking a shift from previous practices where notification was only required if owners could not be located.
For vehicles requiring immediate suspension, owners will be notified by both distributors and the RTD. The ministry has published a list of affected vehicles on its website.
A proposal to provide free bus transportation for owners of suspended vehicles and those who voluntarily choose to stop using their vehicles will be reviewed by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.
The ministry noted that approximately 810,000 vehicles have been registered in Cyprus since 1998, with about 442,000 being used vehicles. Around 80,000 vehicles are subject to Takata airbag recalls.
Affected manufacturers and car numbers:
Toyota (27,111), Mazda (16,023), Honda (10,253), BMW (6,316), Nissan (6,136), Mitsubishi (4,213), Volkswagen (2,815), Audi (2,414), Mercedes (1,697), Opel (1,042), Subaru (459), Citroen (374), Seat (308), Jaguar-Land Rover-Range Rover (217), Skoda (190), Lexus (133), Chevrolet (520), Chrysler (26), Tesla (26), Jeep (38), Daihatsu (5), Vauxhall (4), Dodge (2).
The new regulations require vehicle owners to provide certification that their vehicles are not subject to any recalls during registration transfers or technical inspections. Exceptions apply to vehicles from manufacturers no longer in business, such as Saab, or where recall procedures are not available.
The ministry continues to advise against using vehicles with unresolved Takata airbag recalls, as announced in December 2024, and recommends limiting their use where complete cessation is not possible.
The Takata airbag defect, caused by a chemical component that can deteriorate in hot conditions, risks explosive deployment that could project metal fragments into vehicle cabins, potentially causing serious injury to occupants.
It is estimated that at least 27 deaths and hundreds of injuries worldwide have been attributed to the defective Takata airbags.
In Cyprus, at least three deaths have been linked to the faulty Takata airbags.
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