Cyprus considers extending deadlines for recalls of cars with defective Takata airbags

Transport Minister Alexis Vafeadi stated on September 22, 2025, at the Road Safety Council meeting, that an extension of the final deadline for the implementation of car recalls announced on February 3, 2025, due to defective Takata airbags, is under consideration. The current deadline for completing recalls is October 3, 2025.

Vafeadi noted that the extension is being evaluated. According to him, the TOM department is conducting extensive information campaigns and urges vehicle owners to complete recalls as soon as possible.

The minister reported on two major media campaigns and coordination actions with distributors and manufacturers. Some manufacturers have strengthened service operations, opened additional workshops, and brought in mechanics from abroad to speed up recall completion.

Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis also attended the meeting. The findings of the working group created on the basis of the investigative committee’s report were discussed, along with recommendations to strengthen institutional work on road safety.

The Council approved a number of measures: reactivation of the Unified Road Safety Center to coordinate information and monitoring; introduction of rules ensuring the accountability of economic operators for timely notification and correction of defects; creation of an inter-agency information exchange mechanism and a subgroup for accident investigations; development of a methodology for recall risk assessment and monitoring through sampling from the vehicle registry; establishment of a registry of importers and distributors; modernization of the national approval procedure for importing individual vehicles; introduction of a VIN portal requiring recall checks before import; and training of inspectors and accident investigation experts.