In May 2024, Citroën had asked nearly 250,000 owners of C3 and DS3 cars located under a Clermont-Lyon line to stop using their cars due to problems with Takata airbags. A few months later, as this first recall campaign comes to an end and most of the airbags have been replaced, Citroën is launching a new recall campaign affecting thousands of vehicles outside the Clermont-Lyon line. This decision follows the discovery of new defects in certain airbags, prompting the brand to take precautionary action to ensure the safety of its customers.
New recall campaign: The details
Citroën CEO Thierry Koskas has announced that nearly 240,000 additional vehicles will be recalled immediately. The move follows the discovery of accelerated deterioration of a Takata airbag removed from a Citroën DS3 registered in the Nantes region in 2013. This discovery has led Citroën to transform the current recall campaign in Northern France into a "stop driving" campaign for all Citroën C3 and DS3 registered between 2008 and 2013.
Affected owners will receive a letter shortly and will have to stop using their cars until the faulty airbags have been replaced. Citroën currently has 40,000 replacement airbags in stock, which will allow repairs to be carried out within a reasonable timeframe. Customers should be able to get an appointment at a dealer within an average of five days. To minimise the impact on customers, dealers will lend replacement cars, including used models, so that customers are not left without a mobility solution. All cars in their fleets will be available to meet this demand.
Thierry Koskas specified that the recall campaign should be carried out over a two-month period, allowing most customers to have their cars back for the May holidays and all for the summer holidays. This planning aims to minimise inconvenience to owners while ensuring their safety.
Takata airbags, a global problem for the automotive industry
Takata airbags are at the heart of a global problem affecting tens of millions of vehicles. Citroën is not the only brand affected; car manufacturers around the world have been forced to issue similar recalls. Stellantis, Citroën's parent company, has set aside €940 million to recall all 9 million affected vehicles.
Brands such as Honda, Toyota, Ford and many others have also been affected by the problem. Takata airbags, used in millions of vehicles, are at risk of degradation of the gas generator, which can lead to dangerous explosions when deployed. This problem has led to massive recalls and coordinated efforts to replace the defective airbags.
In conclusion, Citroën is actively ensuring the safety of its customers by monitoring the Takata airbags installed in the C3 and DS3. This new major recall demonstrates the brand's commitment to safety, making the protection of its customers a top priority. The decision to launch a new "stop drive" operation for vehicles marketed between 2008 and 2013, located north of the Clermont-Lyon line, illustrates the precautionary principle adopted by the brand.
By carrying out systematic tests and taking immediate action when a problem is detected, Citroën is once again demonstrating its commitment to the safety and satisfaction of its customers. Thierry Koskas stressed that although the situation is difficult, the brand is taking responsibility and working to minimise the inconvenience to owners while ensuring their safety.
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