Which? slam recall of Citroen car models amid rare warning
No incidents have been reported in the UK.
Stellantis has said affected vehicles will be repaired free of charge although waiting times vary.
Stellantis UK announces an immediate stop-drive action for all Citroën C3 (second generation) manufactured between 2009 and 2019 equipped with Takata airbags. Owners of such vehicles should immediately stop driving their vehicle. pic.twitter.com/sHCJMfo0E6 — Citroën UK (@CitroenUK) June 20, 2025
The recall has left 120,000 customers unable to drive their cars, and Which? warned that many had no alternative mode of transport.
Car dealers were also told to halt sales of second-hand Citroens amid the issues in recent weeks.
What Citroens are being recalled?
The vehicles affected are second-generation Citroen C3s produced from 2009 to 2016 and first-generation DS3s manufactured from 2016 to 2019.
As a result, around 82,000 C3 and DS3 models have been removed from the road across France.
Which? said it was concerned by a lack of clarity over available compensation which was causing 'major upheaval' for owners who relied on their cars and had no alternative options.
Some owners reported being told they would receive a maximum of £22.50 in compensation per day, which the watchdog said was far below the cost of car hire in most regions.
Which? is calling for Citroen and its parent company Stellantis to immediately address helpline issues, confirm a formal compensation scheme and provide practical solutions including courtesy cars, at-home repairs or collection options, so that unsafe cars can be fixed without the risk of being driven.
5 tips to help your car fuel last longer
Sue Davies, Which? head of consumer protection policy, said: 'Stellantis must urgently confirm it will pay compensation for alternative transport as well as offer practical solutions such as offering at-home repairs or towing affected cars to garages. If not, many people will see no alternative but to continue driving cars that are potentially very dangerous.
'The Government needs to step in and hold them to account to ensure UK consumers have much greater clarity of what they need to do and what they are entitled to – and are never left in this position again.'
Citroen said it expected all airbags to have been replaced by the end of next month, adding: 'The company's focus remains on completing the replacement of airbags in affected vehicles as swiftly as possible.
'For each and every customer, we discuss options to support mobility, recognising that every driver has specific requirements. These options include replacement airbags at a dealership or at home, courtesy car, support for other mobility options and recovery.
'We give priority to those with the most urgent needs.'
How do I check my Citroen recall?
If you already own an affected Citroen, you should be contacted by letter, or you can check whether your car is affected by using the VIN check tool on Citroen's website.
Recommended Reading:
You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find this:
at point 1 on your MOT certificate
in part 4 (vehicle details) at point E in the vehicle's log book (V5C)
Owners can contact the recall helpline on 0800 917 9285, Citroen Customer Care on 0800 093 9393 or via Citroen's website.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Major car manufacturer issues ANOTHER huge recall weeks after thousands of Brits warned to ‘stop driving' Citroen models
It's believed some 250,000 vehicles worldwide may be affected RECALL REPEAT Major car manufacturer issues ANOTHER huge recall weeks after thousands of Brits warned to 'stop driving' Citroen models Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR car manufacturer has issued another significant vehicle recall - just weeks after a previous recall involving Citroen and DS models. Stellantis recently sent out a 'stop driving' alert to British motorists. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Stellantis faces criticism for handling of multiple recalls impacting motorists Credit: Alamy 4 Peugeot dealers are under pressure as new recalls add to ongoing Citroen issues for Stellantis Credit: Alamy 4 Peugeot 308 models have been recalled over seat belt faults affecting thousands globally Credit: Alamy 4 Owners of models built between specific dates in 2015 and 2019 have been urged to fix a seat belt issue posing crash safety risks Credit: Alamy Their urgent airbag recall involved cars by both Citroen and DS, both under the Stellantis umbrella, specifically the Citroen C3 (2009-2019), DS3 (2009-2019), Citroen C4 (2010-2011), DS4 (2010-2011) and DS5 (2010-2013), which all require repairs and will impact some 130,000 vehicles. The recall was prompted by concerns over airbags supplied by the now-defunct Japanese manufacturer Takata, whose components have been linked to fatal accidents. In one recent incident, a driver in France was killed after a minor collision resulted in metal shrapnel from a faulty airbag hitting them - prompting an immediate reaction from the company. But things are now even worse for the multinational corporation, as a fault has since been discovered in motors from another one of their famous brands, Peugeot. Specifically, Peugeot 308 models, manufactured between 12 October 2015 and 1 December 2019, are the subject of a recall over concerns were raised regarding the seat belt anchorage on the second row of seats. It is believed there's a potential risk of rupture in the event of a crash - which is serious enough for Stellantis to deem the repair work "essential". 'The rear seat belt anchors may not be able to withstand the force of the impact sufficiently', according to official recall site RappelConso. 'This could limit the belt's ability to restrain a passenger in the event of an accident resulting in injuries.' Customers who believe they own a Peugeot 308 model from this production period have been advised to contact their service centre to arrange a free repair. Car Dealer Mag believe approximately 250,000 vehicles worldwide may be affected - although the exact number of UK drivers impacted remains unclear. WHO ARE STELLANTIS? 'UNACCEPTABLE' Consumer protection organisation, Which?, recently slammed Stellantis for their "chaotic" handling of their Citroen/DS recall - calling on them to make urgent improvements. Thousands of customers across the country have been left unable to drive their cars, with many having no alternative modes of transport. No incidents are yet to be reported in the UK, but the consumer group has expressed its concern for the lack of clarity around available compensation for customers. They outlined how "major upheaval" had been caused for customers who were reliant on their cars. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also expressed "serious concerns" over Stellantis and their handling of the airbag recall. She said their customer support has been inadequate, with a lack of transparency and disruption to motorists. In a message to the firm, she wrote: 'I am writing to you to express serious concerns about the customer impact of the stop-drive recall currently affecting Citroen and DS Automobiles cars in the United Kingdom. 'While I acknowledge and commend the pace at which Stellantis has initiated and progressed the recall programme, I must make clear that the level of disruption experienced by UK motorists - particularly the most vulnerable - is unacceptable. 'I have received numerous reports from Members of Parliament and their constituents detailing distressing experiences, lack of clear guidance and inadequate support for alternative transport arrangements.' Stellantis is ranked as the world's fifth-largest automaker by global sales volume. Including Citreon, DS and Peugeot, Stellantis is responsible for 14 brands in total, such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati and Vauxhall.
The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
Major car manufacturer issues ANOTHER huge recall weeks after thousands of Brits warned to ‘stop driving' Citroen models
A MAJOR car manufacturer has issued another significant vehicle recall - just weeks after a previous recall involving Citroen and DS models. Stellantis recently sent out a 'stop driving' alert to British motorists. 4 4 4 4 Their urgent airbag recall involved cars by both Citroen and DS, both under the Stellantis umbrella, specifically the Citroen C3 (2009-2019), DS3 (2009-2019), Citroen C4 (2010-2011), DS4 (2010-2011) and DS5 (2010-2013), which all require repairs and will impact some 130,000 vehicles. The recall was prompted by concerns over airbags supplied by the now-defunct Japanese manufacturer Takata, whose components have been linked to fatal accidents. In one recent incident, a driver in France was killed after a minor collision resulted in metal shrapnel from a faulty airbag hitting them - prompting an immediate reaction from the company. But things are now even worse for the multinational corporation, as a fault has since been discovered in motors from another one of their famous brands, Peugeot. Specifically, Peugeot 308 models, manufactured between 12 October 2015 and 1 December 2019, are the subject of a recall over concerns were raised regarding the seat belt anchorage on the second row of seats. It is believed there's a potential risk of rupture in the event of a crash - which is serious enough for Stellantis to deem the repair work "essential". 'The rear seat belt anchors may not be able to withstand the force of the impact sufficiently', according to official recall site RappelConso. 'This could limit the belt's ability to restrain a passenger in the event of an accident resulting in injuries.' Customers who believe they own a Peugeot 308 model from this production period have been advised to contact their service centre to arrange a free repair. Car Dealer Mag believe approximately 250,000 vehicles worldwide may be affected - although the exact number of UK drivers impacted remains unclear. WHO ARE STELLANTIS? 'UNACCEPTABLE' Consumer protection organisation, Which?, recently slammed Stellantis for their "chaotic" handling of their Citroen/DS recall - calling on them to make urgent improvements. Thousands of customers across the country have been left unable to drive their cars, with many having no alternative modes of transport. No incidents are yet to be reported in the UK, but the consumer group has expressed its concern for the lack of clarity around available compensation for customers. They outlined how "major upheaval" had been caused for customers who were reliant on their cars. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also expressed "serious concerns" over Stellantis and their handling of the airbag recall. She said their customer support has been inadequate, with a lack of transparency and disruption to motorists. In a message to the firm, she wrote: 'I am writing to you to express serious concerns about the customer impact of the stop-drive recall currently affecting Citroen and DS Automobiles cars in the United Kingdom. 'While I acknowledge and commend the pace at which Stellantis has initiated and progressed the recall programme, I must make clear that the level of disruption experienced by UK motorists - particularly the most vulnerable - is unacceptable. 'I have received numerous reports from Members of Parliament and their constituents detailing distressing experiences, lack of clear guidance and inadequate support for alternative transport arrangements.' Stellantis is ranked as the world's fifth-largest automaker by global sales volume. Fiat, Jeep, Maserati and Vauxhall.
Rhyl Journal
16 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Citroen ‘stop-drive' recall extended to C4, DS4 and DS5
Motorists of several more Citroen car models have been ordered to stop driving their cars over a potentially dangerous airbag fault. Citroen has announced an extension of its 'stop-drive' airbag campaign to C4, DS4 and DS5 models. The recall was announced earlier this year, after a report stated that a woman sustained fatal injuries caused by an airbag in a 2014 Citroen C3 in Reims, France last year. This resulted in C3s produced from 2009 to 2016 and DS3s made from 2016 to 2019 being recalled over the issue. Stellantis UK announces an immediate stop-drive action for all Citroën C3 (second generation) manufactured between 2009 and 2019 equipped with Takata airbags. Owners of such vehicles should immediately stop driving their vehicle. — Citroën UK (@CitroenUK) June 20, 2025 The recall now affects C4 models built between 2010 and 2011, DS4s from 2010 and 2011 and DS5s produced from 2010 and 2013, resulting in 9,968 vehicles across the UK. A Citroen spokesperson told the PA News Agency: 'To date, more than 66,000 vehicles have had their new replacement airbags fitted. "We forecast that the majority of customer vehicles will have their new replacement airbags fitted by the end of September, with the remaining cases handled as swiftly as possible within the coming weeks." They added: "In addition, Stellantis has proactively decided to expand the stop-drive to include additional Citroen C4 (2010-2011), DS4 (2010-2011), and DS5 (2010-2013) vehicles. In the UK, this amounts to an additional 9,968 vehicles." The UK's Road Maintenance System Earlier this month consumer site Which? called for compensation for those affected, as second hand car dealers were also warned to stop selling Citroen's that fell under the warning. How do I check my Citroen recall? If you already own an affected Citroen, you should be contacted by letter, or you can check whether your car is affected by using the VIN check tool on Citroen's website. Recommended Reading: You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find this: at point 1 on your MOT certificate in part 4 (vehicle details) at point E in the vehicle's log book (V5C) Owners can contact the recall helpline on 0800 917 9285, Citroen Customer Care on 0800 093 9393 or via Citroen's website.
