Stop-drive order issued for Citroën C3, DS 3 models over airbag risk

-  Stellantis issues urgent warning for certain Citroën and DS 3 models

- Owners of 2009–2019 cars urged to check VIN and stop driving immediately

- Stellantis mobilising full repair network as Europe-wide safety action extends to UK

Stellantis UK has announced an immediate stop-drive action for specific Citroën and DS 3 vehicles manufactured between 2009 and 2019, due to concerns over Takata airbag safety.

This follows the French Transport Ministry’s stop‑drive request for around 441,000 Citroën C3/DS3 vehicles due to airbags that have exploded, resulting in injuries and at least one death where a woman died from her injuries sustained by Takata airbags deploying in her 2014 Citroen C3..

Owners of affected vehicles are being urgently advised to stop driving their vehicles immediately, when it is safe to do so. The stop-drive action applies to: Citroën C3 (2009–2016); Citroën DS 3 (2009–2016) and DS Automobiles DS 3 (2016–2019).

While there have been no incidents reported in the UK, Stellantis is implementing the stop-drive order across Europe. The affected vehicles were previously part of a wider recall campaign launched more than a year ago, beginning in Southern Europe and expanding northward.

Stellantis stated the decision was based on a combination of factors including airbag design, age, vehicle use, and climate exposure, as well as regulatory input.

Customers will be contacted by letter, but are also urged to check their vehicle’s status immediately using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) tool on the Citroën UK website. If a vehicle is affected, owners should register their details for repairs as soon as possible.

Stellantis said it was activating its full network of suppliers, retailers, and manufacturing facilities to address the issue swiftly and provide safe and convenient repair solutions for customers.

Commenting, Janine Macqueen, director of operations, Marketpoint Recall, said: “The Citroen recall is just the latest in a long line of product issues in the automotive industry. Indeed, Citroen is not the only firm to have fitted its cars with potentially problematic Takata airbags; the French Transport Ministry has also issued warnings for owners of Audis, BMWs, Fords, Nissans, Peugeots and even Ferraris.

“While the actions of Stellantis are welcome in terms of trying to get ahead of the issue, this is indicative of a wider trend manufacturers and OEMs are facing - because of the potential safety implications, recalls in the automotive sector are a baked-in element of operations.

“It means brands need to be proactive at being proactive. They need measures in place to manage, track and communicate recalls instantly. They need to have teams and support in dealing with recalls as they occur. Above all, they need to be recall-ready as this can cut any recall related expense by up to 50%. Because everyone in the industry knows that another recall issue isn’t far away.”