French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir has filed a class-action lawsuit against Stellantis and its Citroën brand, accusing the carmaker of failing to protect drivers from potentially explosive Takata airbags. The complaint, lodged with the Paris judicial tribunal, seeks compensation for owners whose vehicles have been immobilised under mandatory “stop-drive” recalls issued since 2023. The association is demanding a range of indemnities, including daily compensation for the period vehicles cannot be driven, reimbursement of insurance premiums, towing and alternative-transport costs, and damages for anxiety linked to the safety risk. The first procedural hearing is scheduled for 15 October 2025. France widened its stop-drive order at the end of June to 1.7 million vehicles after a fatal airbag explosion in Reims. Globally, defective Takata inflators have been blamed for about 60 deaths over the past 15 years, including 18 in France. The legal action adds to pressure on Stellantis, which on Monday reported a €2.3 billion net loss for the first half of 2025 amid ongoing recall expenses and supply-chain disruptions.