Dangerous airbags and cars recalled: “Reports also in Bergamo”

Bergamo. Airbags at risk, cars recalled to solve the problem and motorists left stranded: even in Bergamo they are arriving at the offices of Consumer Federation several reports – around ten since Friday – submitted by owners of Citroën or DS Automobiles cars.

“These are citizens who were sent a recall letter by the two car manufacturers for the airbag inflator system produced by the Takata company – he explains Christian Perria, president of Federconsumatori Bergamo -. From the note received from motorists it appears that the chemicals contained in these devices could deteriorate over time, exposing the driver and passenger to the risk of device breakage and excessive force in the event of an accident, which could cause serious injury or death. So companies, in light of this risk, are asking customers to immediately stop driving the vehicle.”

The letter invites motorists to contact an authorized repairer as soon as possible. “Here, however, the problem arises – adds Perria -. The citizens involved inform us that the repairers report that they do not have the necessary spare part and therefore it is not possible to carry out any intervention. So they had to choose between returning home with the defective vehicle, at their own risk, or storing the vehicle at the dealership until a later date, waiting for spare parts.”

Among the written reports received by email from Federconsumatori Bergamo, there is one in which the person submitting the complaint writes: “As requested, I put myself on the list at the local dealer, but the waiting times were quite long, approximately 2/3 months”.

To attempt to limit damage and inconvenience and to request timely intervention from Citroën and DS Automobiles, Federconsumatori has requested an urgent meeting with the two companies. “It would be a duty, in our opinion, to provide at least the free rental of replacement cars or the reimbursement of any costs incurred by the user for this purpose – concludes Perria -. In any case, we reserve the right to evaluate the intervention in other locations to protect the rights of the citizens involved, if the comparison with the companies is not satisfactory”.

Federconsumatori Bergamo is preparing with its lawyers the formal complaint text to be sent to the companies. “Whoever is interested can contact the office in via Garibaldi on 035.3594430”.