Latest news with #CitroënDS3
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
120,000 cars recalled in major UK alert - your rights and how to get it fixed
This week it's been announced that thousands of Citroën vehicles are to be recalled due to a problem with a faulty airbag - consumer rights expert Martyn James explains what you need to know Every year, hundreds of products in the UK are recalled. In fact, in 2024, 424 items were recalled for various reasons – mostly safety related. Product recalls are expensive for businesses so as a consequence they are not entered in to lightly. However, various laws and regulations ensure that the products and services we purchase are safe to use – and anything that doesn't meet the appropriate standards must be recalled as soon as a problem becomes apparent. This week it's been announced that thousands of Citroën vehicles are to be recalled due to a problem with a faulty airbag. Owners have been told not to drive them while the recall is in place. Citroëns are very popular vehicles in the UK, which means many people are affected and don't know where to turn. So what's going on, what are your rights and what if it takes too long to correct the problem? Here's my guide. Get the best deals and tips from Mirror Money WHATSAPP GROUP: Get money news and top deals straight to your phone by joining our Money WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. What's happening with Citroën? Citroën has issued a 'stop drive' recall for C3 and DS3 vehicles due to concerns over a faulty airbag system that has the potential to cause serious harm – even fatalities. Reports from France have suggested that the fault with the airbag has led to upwards of 18 deaths alone. A 'stop drive' warning means exactly that. The company is stating it is not safe to drive your vehicle. This is notable as this kind of recall and warning is extremely rare. The affected vehicles are: Citroën C3 manufactured between 2009 and 2019 Citroën DS 3 manufactured between 2009 and 2016 DS Automobiles DS 3 manufactured between 2016 and 2019 The recall notice affects approximately 120,000 cars in the UK. But because it's some but not all Citroëns, it's not always easy to know if your car is affected. Citroën's parent company, Stellantis, has more information on its website, along with a checker. Just enter in you VIN (vehicle identification number) in to the search box and you will be able to confirm if your car is affected by the recall. However, the company should be contacting you directly, so make sure that you have your address updated on the DVLA website. You can also find out more on the Your vehicle will be repaired for free, as you would expect. But here's the kicker: you could be left without a vehicle for months due to the sheer volume of people affected. What's the problem with the airbag? The Takata Corporation was one of the world 's leading manufacturers of airbags. But back in 2013, it became apparent that defective airbags had led to a number of injuries and deaths. This first recall affected 3.6 million people worldwide. Yet problems continued to be reported. Ultimately, 67 million airbags have been recalled – with 42 million vehicles in the USA alone being affected, the largest vehicle recall in the history of the US. In 2017 the company went bankrupt, but countless vehicles still had the defective airbags installed. So what went so terribly wrong? It turns out that the airbag inflators could explode with so much force, they could send fragments of metal shrapnel into the vehicle. This is all down to the use of ammonium nitrate (yes, the fertilizer one) as a propellant, which can become unstable and degrade as time passes, especially in hot or humid conditions (where many of the French deaths occurred). The degraded propellant can cause the inflator to rupture, leading to serious injury or death. This is so serious, the 'stop drive' notice has to be issued by the company. What are my rights if I'm affected? I've heard from many readers who are concerned about the lack of information about what happens next. First things first: tempting as it may be to drive your car, don't. The risks posed by the faulty airbags are very real and you may be in danger if you do so. f an accident does occur – and you were aware of the recall – you could not only invalidate your insurance, you could also be breaking the law and end up with points or even a full driving ban. Having said that, your insurance company may be able to advise you about options and what you are covered for with your policy. They should also be able to let you know if they will cover the costs of a courtesy car while you wait for a repair. Speaking of courtesy cars, MoneySavingExpert reports that you can request a courtesy car from Stellantis by contacting its helpline on 0800 093 9393. Note that word 'request'. Because of the sheer volume of requests for replacements, you can expect quite a wait unless you have a severe need for a vehicle. Be prepared to explain your personal circumstances – particularly if you are reliant on your vehicle. The business has stated that it will prioritise repairs and courtesy cars based on need. So make it clear why you need your car and the impact on you because you can't drive your Citroën. There is the distinct possibility that the business may not give you a vehicle while you await a repair. While you can hire your own replacement and pursue the company for compensation after the repair, you'll still need to demonstrate that you chose a reasonable, comparable vehicle and that you have notified the company of what you are doing and that you'll be seeking compensation. This kind of reimbursement isn't guaranteed, but if you keep all of your paperwork then you'll be able to make a claim much more effectively. If the business doesn't play ball, you can threaten them with the small claims court. How do I find out about other product recalls? I wrote all about vehicle recalls in my Mirror column just last month. Here's a quick recap of how recalls work. If you want to find out what products have been recalled, start with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) who have product recalls on their website. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is the UK's national product regulator and is part of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The OPSS has guidance for consumers on its website and a list of the latest product recalls. The product recalls website gives advice on the three different types of product recall: For specific products that have been sold in the UK and may require you to act to receive a free replacement, repair or refund from the manufacturer or a retailer. Product safety reports – These are for specific products found in the UK where corrective measures other than a recall have either been ordered by an authority or are being undertaken by a business. Product safety alerts – These highlight product categories or sectors in the UK with risks of serious injury or fatality and where immediate steps are requested by OPSS from businesses, authorities and possibly consumers. However, this is where things get complicated. Because of the sheer range of products that are sold, from cars to cauliflower cheese, there are a range of other agencies, regulators and official organisations that set rules around product safety and recalls. As a consequence, you may find more information about specific recalls on the website of one of these organisations, like the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for problems with motor vehicles. Martyn James is a leading consumer rights campaigner, TV and radio broadcaster and journalist
Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
'I got letter in the post saying I could die - now I've been left stranded'
Sharon Jackson received a shocking 'stop driving alert' from her car's manufacturer and has been told in the event of an accident she could be at risk of severe injuries or death A woman who received an unexpected letter telling her she could die if she got behind the wheel of her own car has said she feels stressed and abandoned. Sharon Jackson who owns a Citroën DS3 received a shocking "Stop driving alert" from the car manufacturer at her home in Stockport. The urgent safety recall notice informed her about an issue with the airbags which pose a 'serious safety risk', degrading over time and in the event of an accident, could rupture and cause severe injuries or death. Sharon says that she is still struggling to get hold of Citroen, and is moving house in a matter of days. She claims she is being forced to pay out of her own pocket for a hire car, saying 'thousands of others must be stranded' due to the notice. She told the Manchester Evening News: "The letter came through the post and I thought 'oh my goodness', because it told me to stop driving immediately. There is a line to call which I tried." "At first I was on hold for three hours and gave up. At 8am the next day I had my finger on the button ready and was on the phone for an hour and a half, to be told there were no instructions at all." Sharon was able to follow the free booking portal as signposted on her letter to get the issue fixed on her car - but the nearest available date was in Sale on July 23. "I asked Citroën on the phone how I was supposed to drive my car and move house, to which I was told it had to stay where it is and that I can't drive it. We haven't been offered a courtesy car. There is no provisions, no answers and no help. This needs addressing and some awareness of the stress that has been caused to thousands of people. "I have had to hire a car because I'm in the middle of moving house, so hopefully Citroën will reimburse me for that. I am already stressed with the move, so it has been through the roof. "People will need to use their cars, for things like getting to urgent medical appointments. Getting a notice this last minute just stops people from doing anything. Once you've received the letter, you can't drive your car again. It has to stay where it is. I spoke to my insurance who told me I wouldn't be covered. The letter even says there is the risk of death. "I actually ended up crying on a couple of occasions yesterday because I spoke to that many people." Citroën has issued a recall for C3 and DS3 models manufactured in Europe at various times between 2009 and 2019 due to the defective airbags and safety risks posed. The vehicles included in the action are the second generation Citroën C3, manufactured between 2009 and 2016; the Citroën DS 3 manufactured between 2009 and 2016 and DS Automobiles DS 3 manufactured between 2016 and 2019. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has stipulated that motorists should not drive a recalled car until the necessary repairs have been made. Citroen was asked about the specifics of Sharon's case, such as the issue with no offer of a courtesy car, but a a general response was received. A Citroën spokeswoman said: "The replacement of airbags made by the supplier Takata affects many vehicles manufacturers including ourselves. Vehicles of ours included in this new stop-drive action in the UK, were already part of an ongoing comprehensive recall campaign that started over one year ago, first in Southern Europe and then expanded northwards. "Recall decisions, especially stop-drive actions, are based on multiple factors, including airbag specifications, vehicle age and usage, climate conditions, and notifications from regulatory authorities. "The Company's focus is on completing the replacement of airbags in affected vehicles as swiftly as possible. Working hand in hand with our Citroën Retailer Network we are working to maximise the number of vehicles we can repair every day. "To increase our repair capacity further, work is ongoing on introducing additional airbag replacement sites at convenient locations as well as repair at home options. It is inevitable, with such a large number of vehicles affected, that customers will be inconvenienced in the short term. "However, we are deploying a variety of options to support mobility, recognising that every driver will have individual requirements, and that priority needs to be given to customers with the most urgent needs. "Customers should check if their vehicle is affected and what actions are advised by using the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) check tool on the Citroën UK website If impacted, they should register their vehicle to enable the processing of their repair as soon as possible. "Owners can contact our Recall Helpline on 0800 917 9285, Citroën Customer Care on 0800 093 9393 or via our website."
BBC News
12-02-2025
- BBC News
Eyemouth man killed alongside his dog in Berwick crash named
A man who, along with his dog, was hit and killed by a car has been Loyd Bates, 49, from Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders, and his cocker spaniel died following the crash on the A1 in Berwick, Northumberland, on 29 Police said at about 19:40 GMT it was reported a yellow Citroën DS3 was travelling on the northbound carriageway and had struck a man and his dog on the driver of the car is assisting officers, but the force continues to appeal for information. A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said they express their "deepest sympathies to David's loved ones". Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here.
