At least an additional 10,000 vehicles have been recalled in the United Kingdom, with drivers being advised not to drive them due to serious safety concerns. Initially, a “stop drive” directive was issued in June for specific Citroen and DS vehicles, but Stellantis, the parent company, has now expanded the list of cars deemed unsafe for driving.
The recall pertains to the Takata airbag systems in these vehicles, which may be defective. This action follows a tragic incident in Reims, France, where a woman suffered fatal injuries caused by an airbag in a 2014 Citroen C3 last year. Fortunately, no drivers have been harmed in the UK.
Stellantis is expected to contact owners of the affected vehicles via letter to arrange free repairs. The company anticipates completing most repairs by early October. To determine if your vehicle is part of the recall, you can use the VIN check tool on the Citroen website.
In a recent statement, Stellantis UK expressed its commitment to swiftly and responsibly addressing the issue, mobilizing its network to ensure customer safety. The company emphasized that the recall decisions, including the stop-drive orders, were made based on various factors such as airbag specifications, vehicle age, usage, climate conditions, and regulatory notifications.
All impacted customers will receive notification by mail and can also verify if their vehicle is affected and the recommended actions through the VIN check tool on the Citroën UK website. If affected, owners are encouraged to register their vehicle promptly for repair processing. Alternatively, owners can contact the Recall Helpline at 0800 917 9285 for assistance.