Citroën extends its recall of cars due to airbag fault in France

A recall campaign for certain Citroën cars with faulty airbags has been extended to include northern France and other European countries this week.

An additional 73,000 vehicles in France are concerned, with more than 100,000 vehicles across parts of northern Europe affected.

Vehicles of the C3 and DS3 models produced between 2009 and 2017 may have faulty ‘Takata’ airbags inside, which need to be replaced. 

To see if your car is affected, you can put your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into this dedicated recall website. 

The VIN number can be found on your vehicle’s certificat d’immatriculation (commonly known as a carte grise). 

A staggered recall will prevent a shortage of airbags used to replace faulty ones, and vehicles in other European countries will eventually be recalled in a third wave. 

Up to 400,000 vehicles in France may eventually need to have their airbags replaced.

Connexion readers have previously criticised the recall process. 

Read more: Citroën faces backlash in France over airbag delays

Consumer rights group UFC-Que Choisir has lodged an official complaint against Citroën manufacturer Stellantis. It wants the French parliament to open an enquiry into the matter. 

It has also called for drivers who needed to replace airbags to be paid compensation. 

Unlike the first round of the recall, which affected vehicles in southern Europe (including southern departments in France), drivers do not need to repair the car before using their vehicle,

once it has been listed for recall. 

“Stellantis has closely monitored the situation of C3 and DS 3 vehicles… fitted with Takata airbags,” said the manufacturer to AFP.

“Based on field tests and sample analyses, the data currently available indicates a significantly lower level of risk than in the southern region. This is why a standard recall campaign and

not a ‘stop-drive’” has been launched, it added.

Vehicles in warmer climates were at higher risk of airbags deteriorating, hence the recall asking drivers not to use their vehicle until the airbags were replaced.

This is also why these vehicles were chosen to be repaired first in the staggered campaign.

Stellantis reports that 94% of registered vehicles in the south have had their airbags replaced.

The manufacturer recently announced that compensation claims for vehicles affected by an engine malfunction in France are now open.