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Tesla recalls more than 14,000 Model S cars in China to replace faulty airbags made by Takata

  • The recall, which involves cars made between February 2014 and December 2016, will begin on April 10, the State Administration for Market Regulation said

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Tesla will replace airbags of some 14,000 Model S cars in China starting in April. Photo: Bloomberg
Daniel Renin Shanghai

China’s market regulator said on Friday that electric carmaker Tesla will recall over 14,000 Model S vehicles sold on the mainland to replace faulty airbags made by the now-defunct Japanese company Takata.

The recall, which involves cars made between February 2014 and December 2016, will begin on April 10, the State Administration for Market Regulation said in a statement on its website on Friday.

The cars were imported from the United States.

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About 37 million vehicles worldwide have been affected by the Takata-made airbags. Photo: AP Photo
About 37 million vehicles worldwide have been affected by the Takata-made airbags. Photo: AP Photo

Tesla’s recall is part of a crackdown on Takata-made airbags that have been blamed for a number of deaths. The Takata airbags use a nitrate propellant that is at risk of breakage and can cause serious injuries resulting from ejection of debris.

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About 37 million vehicles worldwide, including those built by Toyota and Ford, have been affected by the Takata-made airbags.

“As with the tens of millions of other vehicles with Takata airbag inflators, this industry-wide recall is taking place in phases according to the schedule previously determined by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,” Tesla said in a statement. “According to this schedule, the recall of 2012 Model S vehicles began in 2017, was extended to 2013 Model S vehicles in 2018, and is now being extended to 2014-2016 Model S vehicles.”

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