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.