Citroën is expanding its recall of C3 and DS3 models across Europe due to Takata airbag issues, affecting over 869,000 vehicles, with 400,000 in France. The recall will begin at the end of January, targeting vehicles manufactured between 2009 and 2017. Unlike previous recalls, vehicles won’t need to be immobilized during repairs. This initiative addresses concerns arising from heat and humidity’s impact on airbag reliability, with Stellantis having already repaired 94% of affected customers in Southern Europe.
The Ongoing Takata Airbag Concerns
The saga surrounding Takata airbags continues to unfold, with Citroën announcing an expansion of recalls for its C3 and DS3 models across Europe due to issues linked to faulty airbags. The Stellantis group revealed on Tuesday that the initial phase of the recall will involve 98,000 vehicles, including 73,000 located in France, set to commence at the end of January.
Details of the Recall Campaign
After addressing 102,000 Citroën and DS vehicles in Southern Europe, including countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, the recall initiative is now being broadened to cover Northern France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Moldova, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Ireland. In total, over 869,000 vehicles are affected, with around 400,000 in France alone, according to the group’s announcement.
Citroën’s official website lists the specific vehicles impacted by this recall: the Citroën C3 phase 2 and Citroën DS3, manufactured between 2009 and 2017. Notably, models such as Citroën C3 Picasso, Citroën C3 phase 1, Citroën C3 phase 3, and Citroën C3 Pluriel are not subject to this recall. For those unsure about their vehicle’s status, Citroën has set up an easy-to-use portal where owners can verify if their car is affected by entering the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
In contrast to the previous recall campaign, Stellantis will not require that vehicles be immobilized until repairs are completed. “Stellantis has been vigilant regarding the situation of C3 and DS3 vehicles made between 2009 and 2019 that feature Takata airbags. Current data suggest a significantly lower risk level in comparison to the Southern region, which is why this will be a standard campaign rather than a stop-drive,” the manufacturer stated.
The first phase of this recall will be conducted until June, commencing with notifications sent on January 20 to owners of vehicles from the 2009 and 2010 model years. “Stellantis is prioritizing the oldest vehicles in the Northern region based on data indicating these should be addressed first due to the aging of chemical components,” the group explained.
This staggered recall process is designed to consider parts availability and the repair network’s capacity. “We will track the number of parts produced for each wave launch, ensuring a swift response for our customers,” Stellantis assured. The decision to initiate recalls in Southern France and other European regions was made based on long-term heat and humidity conditions, which are known to adversely affect these airbags. Stellantis highlighted that it has already repaired over 94% of registered customers in Southern Europe.
Takata airbags, produced by the now-bankrupt Japanese manufacturer, have significantly impacted the automotive sector since 2014, leading to several fatalities due to the dangerous deployment of fragments into the driver’s space, caused by a gas that degrades poorly in hot and humid environments. Other car manufacturers, including Volkswagen, Nissan, and Toyota, have also recently implemented extensive recall campaigns related to Takata airbags without advising drivers to cease vehicle operation. Additionally, BMW recalled more than 1.7 million vehicles in the United States and China this summer addressing the same safety issue.