The Cypriot Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works has announced a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s vehicle recall system. This decisive action follows the release of a damning investigative committee report exposing systemic failures—most notably related to the deadly Takata airbag recalls.

The report, made public on July 15, 2025, uncovered severe shortcomings in how Cyprus processes vehicle imports—both from EU member states and third countries—and manages recall notifications. It highlighted that many recalls, including those involving known safety defects, remained inactive for years, leading to tragic consequences. Among them was at least one fatal incident tied directly to an unrepaired airbag defect.

Transport Minister Alexis Vafeadis acknowledged the gravity of the findings, stating that the Ministry bears a "full sense of responsibility" and that real action must follow public acknowledgment. "Public recognition of the problem must be followed by measures that ensure similar tragedies never happen again," he said.

In response, the Ministry has announced several urgent and long-term measures to restore public trust and prevent further safety lapses:

• Restructuring of the Road Transport Department: The department will undergo immediate reorganization to ensure compliance with both national laws and EU regulations. Technical assistance from the European Commission’s DG Reform is being considered.

• Creation of a New Technical Vehicle Directorate: This new body will enhance the state’s ability to supervise vehicle safety, oversee technical inspections, and coordinate efficient recall processes.

• Internal Audit and Procedural Revisions: The Internal Audit Commissioner has already approved an audit, while both the Road Transport and Electromechanical Services have begun implementing new protocols based on the report’s recommendations.

• Special Session of the Road Safety Council: A dedicated meeting involving all relevant stakeholders—including police authorities—has been held to adopt targeted road safety measures.

In addition to institutional reform, the Ministry is urging vehicle owners to take responsibility for their safety and that of others. Special emphasis has been placed on owners of imported vehicles without EU type approval, as these have been disproportionately affected by defective components, including airbags.

The Ministry cited a recent fatal crash in which the owner had been notified three times about a dangerous defect but failed to act. The government stressed that such warnings must be taken seriously, and any vehicle flagged for recall—especially those with potentially lethal airbags—must be removed from the road until repaired.

Minister Vafeadis also expressed his solidarity with the families of victims, commending their efforts to transform personal loss into civic advocacy. “Their dignity transformed pain into advocacy for public good,” he stated.

Officials admit that the overhaul aims to address a 15-year lapse in effective recall coordination.