Particle.news

Download on the App Store

120,000 Citroën C3 and DS3 Drivers Still Grounded After Stop-Drive Recall

Owners of grounded Citroëns are shouldering steep hire-car bills after waiting months for airbag replacements.

Overview

  • Stellantis issued an immediate UK 'stop-drive' recall on June 20 for second-generation Citroën C3s and first-generation DS3s (2009–2019) fitted with Takata airbags after tests showed inflator deterioration could propel metal fragments.
  • Roughly 120,000 vehicles remain off the road as repair appointments stretch into 2026, though Citroën says it aims to complete all replacements by the end of September.
  • Owners have reported hire-car bills of several hundred pounds per week and, in extreme cases, have purchased new cars to maintain mobility during the backlog.
  • Stellantis has increased repair capacity by mobilising its Citroën and authorised Peugeot dealer networks, deploying mobile teams and offering at-home installations and courtesy vehicles.
  • Which? has urged Stellantis to launch a formal compensation scheme and revamp its helpline after customers encountered confusing insurer advice and uneven support from garages.