10,000 motorists issued urgent warning to stop driving cars immediately in 'code-red' recall
Motorists of some models of Citroen cars have been issued with an urgent notice to stop driving them now. The latest directive from the motoring giant has been given to 10,000 more drivers following one in June which affected 96,000 vehicle owners.
The recall at the start of the summer was for C3 and DS3 models manufactured between 2009 and 2019 which were deemed unfit to drive due to a fault with the airbag system. And now thousands more motorists have been told to stop driving their cars now.
The French car manufacturer has issued an updated communication regarding the urgent stop drive recall affecting certain C3, C4, DS3, DS4, and DS5 models due to a fault with the airbag system.
The red bordered letters were sent to affected drivers on August 12.
This is Money reported that the order was the highest level 'code red' recall, something rarely issued in the UK. It came after a French driver was killed earlier in June when a minor collision caused her airbag to deploy and sent shrapnel into her head causing fatal injuries.
Now motoring experts at Blackcircles have warned Citroen drivers to stop driving immediately if they receive this letter.
This latest recall affects the following models:
Second-generation Citroën C3 manufactured between 2009 and 2016
Citroën DS 3 manufactured between 2009 and 2016
DS Automobiles DS 3 manufactured between 2016 and 2019
Citroën C4 manufactured between 2010 and 2018
Citroën DS4 manufactured between 2010 and 2018
Citroën DS5 manufactured between 2010 and 2018
Jay Kennedy, Content Specialist at Blackcircles, explains what a stop drive recall is. He said: "A stop drive recall is a type of safety recall issued when a vehicle is found to have a defect that poses a significant safety risk, requiring owners to stop driving it immediately.
"This could be due to a fault from the vehicle manufacturer, a component supplier, or an issue discovered during routine inspections or consumer reports. These defects are usually severe, affecting critical systems like brakes, steering, or airbags, and could lead to serious injury or accidents if the vehicle continues to be driven."
Blackcircles hammered home that stop-drive recalls are not recommendations and instead are urgent directives. He also pointed out that it can see you fined or even banned.
They said: "The vehicle should not be driven under any circumstances until it has been repaired, even if it appears to be functioning normally.'
Jay added: "Stop-drive recalls aren't just routine warnings – they signal a serious safety risk that must be addressed immediately. If you receive a stop drive recall, you should contact your local dealership or manufacturer promptly and schedule a repair.
"You should also contact your insurance company and follow their instructions.'
'Driving a stop drive safety received car is extremely dangerous, and can cost you up to £2,500 in fines. The DVSA enforces the rule, and drivers can also receive three points on their license and a driving ban depending on the severity of the offence.'
With the additional models now added, the total number of Citroens impacted is 106,000. Stellantis claims that 'more than 66,000' C3 and DS3 models have had their replacement airbags fitted to date, reports This Is Money.
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