Vauxhall has told thousands of owners to “stop driving their vehicle” due to airbag safety fears in a fresh recall notice. Vauxhall told the Express that as many as 82,000 Vauxhall cars on the road still have outstanding safety issues, despite multiple written communications to the registered keeper. A stop-drive order is now in place for five models, with all of the cars affected manufactured between 2005 to 2018.
The issue is understood to affect Vauxhall Astra 5th gen or ‘H’ version models between 2005 and 2013, with Vauxhall Astravan 5th gen or ‘H’ version cars from 2005 and 2013 also caught up in the notice. Vauxhall Astra Twin Top models from 2005 to 2012 are also affected, alongside Vauxhall Vectra models from 2005 to 2008 and Vauxhall Signum models from 2005 to 2008.
Stellantis stressed that many owners have responded to the multiple recall letters and already had the work completed, but thousands still had issues outstanding. A statement from Stellantis sent to the Express said: “Recalls of certain airbag inflators from the manufacturer Takata are ongoing and affect vehicles from many automotive brands and manufacturers worldwide.
“Since the launch of these recalls, Stellantis has implemented a broad range of measures, including extensive stop-drive actions and major customer outreach campaigns, with one objective: protecting customers and replacing all affected Takata airbags in Stellantis vehicles. By the end of August 2026, more than four million vehicles from Stellantis brands equipped with Takata airbags have been replaced already across Europe, with progress continuing steadily.”
Stellantis confirmed that the registered keepers of all affected vehicles have been informed of the need for a safety recall multiple times. However, the safety recall has now become a stop-drive for these affected vehicles where a recall fix has not already been performed.
Vauxhall said they reached the conclusion to issue a ‘stop-drive’ notice after looking at the latest monitoring data and the aging characteristics of the airbag inflators.
Stellantis stressed that customer safety remains their highest priority. They added that vehicles receive stop-drive warnings well before the airbag’s safe service lifetime ends – which would help to minimise the risk to road users as much as possible.
Stellantis added: “Stellantis urges all affected vehicle owners to stop driving their vehicle as soon as they receive a stop-drive notification and to contact their authorised retailer immediately to arrange for the free repair. The vehicle owner is permitted, at their discretion, to drive directly to a place of repair. The DVSA is aware and supportive of this advice.
“We have a dedicated Recall Helpline set up on 0800 9179285 and customers are also able to check if their vehicles are affected and what actions are advised by using the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number or ‘chassis number’) check tool on the Vauxhall website.”