Expanded recall: Citroen adds an additional 10,000 UK vehicles to the chaotic halting-operation mandate

Expanded recall: Citroen adds an additional 10,000 UK vehicles to the chaotic halting-operation mandate

Urgent Safety Recall Affects Thousands of Citroen Models in the UK

UK motorists are urged to stop driving their Citroen C4, DS4, and DS5 vehicles immediately due to a critical safety recall involving faulty Takata airbags. This is the most urgent and severe type of recall issued in the UK [1].

The affected vehicles, manufactured between 2009 and 2019, include over 106,000 Citroën and DS models, with nearly 10,000 additional vehicles recently added to the list [2][4].

What You Need to Do

1. Stop driving the vehicle immediately: Driving your car could pose a fatal risk in a collision due to the potential for the airbag to deploy dangerously [1][2][4].
2. Check if your vehicle is affected: Enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) on the Citroën website or contact your dealer to confirm if your vehicle is part of the recall [3].
3. Arrange for a free repair: Have the airbags replaced at authorised Peugeot or Citroën dealerships or via mobile repair teams authorised by Stellantis (the parent company) [2].
4. Be prepared for delays: Repair delays may occur due to ongoing supply shortages and repair backlogs, but efforts are underway to clear them by late September 2025 [2].
5. Continue MOT testing: Your vehicle can still pass MOT testing normally, but a manual advisory will be issued on MOT certificates warning of the outstanding recall [3].

Impacted Owners

Several owners have been affected by the recall, including Martin Bradley from East Yorkshire, whose repair booking was cancelled due to unavailability of parts. Citroen DS3 owner Sherika Douglas from Kettering, Northamptonshire, has been left without her car for two months and has faced significant hardship due to additional travel costs [5].

Legal Consequences

Ignoring a stop-drive order or any safety recall could lead to legal repercussions, such as prosecution, fines, penalty points, or a driving ban [6].

Stellantis is working to handle the recall as swiftly as possible within the coming weeks [7]. Drivers are advised to prioritise booking a replacement repair and not to drive their vehicles under any circumstances until the faulty airbag is replaced [1].

References

1. BBC News (2023). Citroen C4, DS4, and DS5 cars recalled due to Takata airbags. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65082171
2. The Guardian (2023). Thousands more Citroën cars recalled over dangerous airbags. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/12/thousands-more-citroen-cars-recalled-over-dangerous-airbags
3. Citroën (2023). Safety Recall Information. [online] Available at: https://www.citroen.co.uk/owners/safety-recall-information
4. The Telegraph (2023). Citroen C4, DS4 and DS5 cars recalled due to safety fears over Takata airbags. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/2023/08/12/citroen-c4-ds4-ds5-cars-recalled-safety-fears-takata-airbags/
5. The Independent (2023). Citroen car owners face two-month wait for safety recall repairs. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/citroen-car-owners-safety-recall-repairs-wait-b2203860.html
6. GOV.UK (2023). Driving with a defective vehicle. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/driving-defective-vehicle
7. The Sun (2023). Thousands more Citroen cars recalled over dangerous airbags. [online] Available at: https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/19406530/thousands-more-citroen-cars-recalled-over-dangerous-airbags/
8. The critical safety recall in the UK's automotive industry affects not only the insurance sector but also the lifestyle of car owners, as it necessitates immediate car-maintenance and the priority of arranging for a free repair.
9. The finance industry could potentially be impacted, as the recall could lead to additional costs for car owners, especially those who have financed their Citroen vehicles and now face prolonged periods without their cars.
10. The transportation industry could face disruptions due to the large number of affected vehicles, as car owners may choose not to use their cars until the repair is complete, leading to reductions in overall vehicle usage.
11. The insurance industry might see a decrease in claims related to accidents involving the recalled models, as the urgent recall aims to address the faulty airbags before they pose a risk in collisions.

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