Approximately 236,900 Citroën C3 and DS 3 owners in northern France have been advised to stop driving their vehicles due to serious safety concerns linked to Takata airbags, which may cause injury or fatalities. This recall affects models registered between 2008 and 2013, with Stellantis implementing a precautionary immobilization across the country. Owners are encouraged to schedule airbag replacements, and while efforts are underway to notify all affected customers, complaints against Stellantis have emerged regarding safety and business practices.
Important Airbag Recall for Citroën C3 and DS 3 Owners
In northern France, approximately 236,900 owners of Citroën C3 and DS 3 models have received urgent advisories to refrain from driving their vehicles until their airbags are replaced. This action is part of a broader immobilization initiative stemming from the Takata airbag controversy, which has raised serious safety concerns.
Serious Risks Associated with Takata Airbags
The airbags in question pose a significant risk of injury and have been linked to at least one fatality in mainland France, along with eleven deaths abroad. According to the Ministry of Transport, the degrading conditions of certain climates exacerbate the deterioration of these airbag components.
Major automotive brands like Volkswagen, Nissan, BMW, and Toyota have already initiated recalls affecting millions of vehicles equipped with these hazardous airbags, and these efforts are ongoing. Following multiple tragic incidents, Citroën and DS launched an initial immobilization campaign—dubbed ‘stop drive’—in early 2024, which impacted numerous drivers in southern Europe and the Maghreb.
This latest recall specifically targets vehicles registered between 2008 and 2013 located north of the Lyon-Clermont-Ferrand line. Although Citroën had previously advised owners to visit their garages since January 2025, this is the first time drivers are being immobilized for safety reasons.
Recent tests conducted on a vehicle in Loire-Atlantique revealed concerning ‘degradation of properties’ in ammonium nitrate, the substance responsible for inflating the airbag during an accident. Consequently, Stellantis—parent company of Citroën and DS—has extended the precautionary immobilization measures to cover all of France.
The Ministry of Transport has instructed Stellantis to implement this ‘stop drive’ directive for the affected C3 and DS 3 models, noting that their ‘safe lifespan’ is shorter than the age of the vehicles, with concerns first raised as early as December 2024.
Vehicle owners are encouraged to schedule appointments through the Citroën website for the necessary airbag replacements. Stellantis has since ramped up efforts, mobilizing its dealer network to manage the increased demand, providing temporary vehicles, and boosting production of suitable replacement airbags.
Currently, Stellantis has ample stock of replacement airbags, and dealers are ready to perform installations immediately. The company has also enlisted the support of eight factories across France to assist customers.
While Stellantis is making strides in communication through letters and marketing efforts, they have not yet reached every customer. Of the 73,800 individuals notified in January in northern France, only 42,400 scheduled repairs, and 17,600 vehicles have been serviced. Since April 2024, over 400,000 vehicles have undergone repairs as part of the first recall wave, addressing safety concerns for Citroën C3 and DS3 models sold from 2009 to 2019 in affected regions.
Additionally, the Ministry of Transport has launched informational initiatives at gas stations in overseas territories and mandated technical control centers to notify affected customers during vehicle inspections.
Looking ahead, vehicles sold between 2014 and 2019 in northern France and other European countries—totaling 869,000—are slated for future recall campaigns, although these will not involve immobilization. Meanwhile, several C3 owners have filed complaints against Stellantis, accusing the company of ‘endangering lives’ and engaging in ‘deceptive business practices’ while seeking financial compensation.