Stellantis issued an alert for owners of Citroen C3 models to not drive the vehicle because of a potentially lethal fault with the airbags. The recall impacts around 120,000 UK owners.
Thousands of Citroen car owners across the UK have been left absolutely livid, with many facing hefty financial losses, following its “chaotic” handling of a recall.
Automotive giant Stellantis issued an urgent warning to owners of popular Citroen C3 models, telling them to stop driving immediately due to a potentially deadly airbag defect.
The alert came after a tragic crash in France last June, where a 37 year old mum driving a C3 was hit in the head by flying metal fragments during a minor collision.
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The recall affects all second-generation Citroën C3 and first-generation DS 3 vehicles built between 2009 and 2019 that have Takata airbags fitted. Stellantis was so worried about the safety risk that it issued an immediate “stop-drive” warning, affecting roughly 120,000 UK motorists, reports the Mirror.
Car owners were told to get in touch with their dealers for a complimentary airbag replacement.
However, consumer watchdog Which? has slammed the company and called for a compensation programme after being inundated with complaints from owners who say they’ve been told to wait months for repairs.
Eva Lauren Kelly, a software engineer from Cardiff, had planned to drive her DS3 to the Netherlands for a camping holiday in mid-August, with non-refundable ferry and Eurotunnel shuttle reservations.
With her car now unusable due to the recall, Eva says she was given a repair appointment that would coincide with major surgery she was scheduled to have in London. To avoid potential delays in the repair, having to take the train for pre-op appointments or risking losing the cost of her trip, she ended up purchasing a new car for £10,000.
She expressed her frustration, saying: “This has been a gigantic headache and Stellantis has been resoundingly unhelpful throughout.”
Other owners have had to spend a “fortune” on rental cars and taxis. Some told Which? they felt compelled to continue driving despite the risks.
The advice from insurers has also been inconsistent, with some assuring customers they are covered to drive despite the manufacturer’s warning not to, according to the consumer group.
Which? also criticised the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for its role in overseeing vehicle recalls, stating that it has failed to provide clear guidance to assist affected drivers.
Sue Davies, head of consumer protection policy at Which?, commented: “From people left stranded with no means of transport, to those paying out a fortune to hire cars and taxis, the emotional and financial burden of this recall has fallen squarely on those least able to absorb it.”
She added: “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.”
A spokesperson for Stellantis stated: “The company’s focus remains on completing the replacement of airbags in affected vehicles as swiftly as possible.
“Our Citroën network is fully engaged in maximising the number of cars that can be completed every day and, to increase our repair capacity even further and minimise as much as possible the impact on customers, our Peugeot network is now authorised to replace airbags on these cars in addition to at home options.
“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.”
A spokesperson for the DVSA commented: “DVSA is supporting Citroën’s decision to issue an immediate ‘stop drive’ recall of (certain models of) the C3 and DS3 and will assist them where needed. We are working with Citroën to make sure that everyone with these vehicles knows that they can’t use this model of car until the necessary repair work has been carried out.
“To check if your vehicle is affected, car owners can use the checker on Citroën’s website.”
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