Stellantis reinforces commitment to addressing 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech engine issues in Europe

It must be acknowledged that Stellantis's PureTech engines have, unfortunately, faced difficulties that have cast a shadow over the reputation of certain group brands, including Citroën. Criticisms regarding issues such as excessive oil consumption and premature timing belt degradation on previous generations of the 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech (also known by the EB code) have been numerous and have understandably caused concern among owners and potential buyers.

Aware of the impact on customer confidence, Stellantis has decided to tackle the problem head-on. After already announcing an extended warranty program in march 2024 aimed at covering necessary repairs under certain conditions, the group is now taking a further step. A new compensation campaign is being launched, specifically targeting European consumers who have already incurred costs for repairs related to these oil consumption or belt issues on the affected engines. This initiative aims to reimburse these customers for the expenses they have borne, as part of a proactive approach to acknowledge and address the difficulties encountered. This is positive news for many owners who have been hoping for such concrete action.

Compensation: a new online platform to simplify the process

In an effort to prioritize customer satisfaction and meet expectations, Stellantis has established an online compensation platform specifically designed to evaluate claims from european consumers who have already paid for interventions on previous generations of the 1.0 and 1.2 puretech engines. The goal is to facilitate the submission of claims and accelerate the evaluation process for issues related to excessive oil consumption and/or premature timing belt degradation.

This supplementary compensation policy covers costs incurred by customers between january 1, 2022, and december 31, 2024. It is important to note that conditions apply: the interventions concerned must have been carried out in strict accordance with the service plan recommended by the vehicle's brand (citroën, ds automobiles, opel, or peugeot) and performed by an automotive professional. Furthermore, both the diagnosis and repair must have been conducted within the brand's authorized network. This requirement ensures that repairs have been performed according to the manufacturer's standards.

The online platform, accessible via https://stellantis-support.com as well as from the websites of the various brands, is presented as a simple and quick tool for customers. It allows them to directly submit their case and upload the necessary supporting documents for the evaluation of their claim. The implementation of this platform is being phased across europe. It began with the evaluation of pre-selected customer claims in france and spain in early january and is now progressively opening up to other customers across the continent. This phased approach helps manage the flow of applications and ensures efficient processing, although some customers may need to wait a little longer before being able to submit their case. The full compensation policy, detailing all conditions, is also made available to consumers for complete transparency.

Beyond compensation: extended warranty and engine evolution

Beyond compensating for past expenses, stellantis is reinforcing its commitment to the reliability of its vehicles equipped with puretech engines by strengthening warranty measures. In march 2024, the group had already announced the extension of the warranty for previous generations of puretech engines exhibiting issues with excessive oil consumption or premature timing belt degradation. This warranty now covers 100% of costs (parts and labor) for up to 10 years after the vehicle's first registration or up to 180,000 km traveled, whichever limit is reached first, and under certain conditions related to adherence to the maintenance plan. This is a significant measure that offers increased peace of mind to current owners.

These exceptional warranty measures also include the implementation of the new “check+” certificate. This certificate is a reliability attestation for used vehicles sold through the spoticar network and the authorized network of the group's brands. It certifies that the vehicle has followed the recommended maintenance and repairs and has successfully passed a thorough 100-point inspection. This inspection specifically includes verification of the timing belt's condition, a crucial element for the reliability of the engines concerned. The "check+" certificate adds a layer of confidence for buyers of used vehicles equipped with these powertrains.

In parallel, the group has not limited itself to corrective measures; it has actively worked on the evolution of its engines. Launched in 2012, the puretech engine range was initially designed to offer a good balance between dynamic performance, controlled co2 emissions, and reduced fuel consumption. Based on feedback, stellantis has made major evolutions to the new generations derived from these engines. These evolved versions benefit from a significantly revised architecture and incorporate approximately 70% new parts. The objective of these modifications was to specifically address the concerns raised by previous generations, particularly in terms of the durability of critical components like the timing belt and the management of oil consumption. Extensive and rigorous endurance tests have been conducted to validate the very high level of reliability of these new-generation engines, signaling a determination to learn from the past to ensure future quality.

By directly addressing past criticisms regarding the 1.0 and 1.2 puretech engines, stellantis is demonstrating a clear commitment to restoring customer confidence. The launch of this new compensation campaign, which complements the extended warranty program already in place, represents concrete action to acknowledge the inconveniences suffered by owners and to compensate for the costs incurred.

The objective is clear: not only to alleviate the concerns of current customers facing or having faced issues with previous generations of these engines but also to sustainably strengthen the bond of trust between consumers and the group's brands, including our beloved brand with the chevrons, citroën. These initiatives, coupled with the significant technical evolutions brought to the new engine generations, send a strong signal about stellantis's ability to listen to customer feedback and invest in the quality and reliability of its products. This is a necessary step to turn the page on past difficulties and build a more serene future for owners of vehicles equipped with these powertrains. There is reason for optimism regarding the ability of these measures to restore the reputation of the puretech engines and the brands that use them.