Citroën’s “code red” airbag crisis has just taken a turn for the worse. Stellantis – the company behind Citroën – has extended its stop-drive recall programme by almost 10,000 more vehicles, adding even more pressure to a repair network already struggling to keep up. If you’re affected, you may be entitled to compensation.
What’s changed?
Back in June, Citroën issued an immediate stop-drive warning covering around 120,000 UK vehicles. Drivers of Citroën C3 and DS3 models made between 2009 and 2019 were told to stop using their cars due to a life-threatening airbag defect.
Now, that recall has been expanded again. The following models are newly affected:
- Citroën C4 (2010–2011)
- DS 4 (2010–2011)
- DS 5 (2010–2013)
That’s another 9,968 vehicles added to the list, and more misery for drivers still waiting for repairs.
What’s the issue with Citroën airbags?
The defective airbags — supplied by now-bankrupt manufacturer Takata — can explode with too much force when deployed, firing metal shrapnel into the vehicle. Several global deaths have been linked to this fault, including one in France earlier this year.
Despite this, wait times for UK drivers are growing. Some have reported delays of two months or more. Stellantis says it has now replaced tens of thousands of airbags across the UK, but many drivers are still without safe transport.
Is compensation available?
While Citroën has reportedly offered some drivers temporary compensation while they wait, consumer group Which? says many are receiving as little as £22 per day, far below the actual cost of hiring a car.
If you’ve been left stranded or out of pocket, you could be entitled to more.
What to do next
If you’ve been told not to drive your Citroën, or suspect your car may be affected, don’t wait.
- Use your VIN to check if your car is on the recall list
- Keep a record of all costs and communications
- If you’ve been left without a car or out of pocket, check your rights in our handy guide
Airbags are meant to protect you. If yours puts you at risk, we’ll help you stay informed and make sure you’re first in line if a legal route opens up.
Join the Claim connects consumers with SRA-regulated lawyers. Visit the claim page to check your eligibility if a claim is open with one of our trusted legal partners. If a group action has not yet been launched, you can register your interest and we’ll keep you informed if a partner firm decides to take a claim forward.
