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Dangerous airbags: your complete guide to the UK recalls and compensation claims

If you’ve been told not to drive your car due to a faulty airbag, you might be entitled to compensation. In this guide, we explain everything UK drivers need to know about the Citroën airbag recall, and take a look at the other manufacturers potentially caught up in this scandal.

Guide overview

Breaking down the faulty airbag scandal

Over 100 million vehicles have been recalled globally since the dangerous airbag scandal began, and the ripple effects are still being felt.

In the UK, Citroën has issued a fresh recall due to concerns about the safety of its airbags. Over 120,000 UK vehicles affected and drivers left stranded without support. Other manufacturers may follow.

At the very least, lawyers believe that affected owners should be compensated for the inconvenience and out-of-pocket expenses they’ve faced.

What’s happening with faulty airbags?

In June 2025, Stellantis, the parent company of Citroën, issued a rare and urgent “stop-drive” alert for over 120,000 vehicles in the UK. The issue relates to Takata airbags, which can explode with too much force and send shrapnel into the vehicle cabin. Several global deaths have been linked to this defect, including one in France earlier this year.

The affected models include:

Although the fault has been known about for years, Stellantis only recently took action in the UK. Other manufacturers use Takata airbags, so it is likely they may also be affected.

What is a stop-drive?

A stop-drive notice is one of the most serious safety alerts a vehicle manufacturer can issue. It means your car should not be driven under any circumstances until a critical fault is repaired.

In the case of airbag defects, the risk is often so severe that continuing to drive the car could put your life, and the lives of passengers or other road users, in danger.

If your car is under a stop-drive order, contact the manufacturer or dealership immediately. Most will offer to recover the car, carry out repairs, or find another safe way to address the issue.

Driving a vehicle under a stop-drive alert could:

Invalidate your insurance

Lead to fines or legal action

Leave you liable if an accident occurs

Always follow the manufacturer’s advice and seek clarification if you’re unsure.


Despite the stop-drive recall, a recent investigation by Which? has uncovered that hundreds of potentially unsafe cars are being listed for sale on popular UK car websites without any warning to buyers.

Source: Which?

Have you received a stop-drive notice from Citroën?

 If so, you could be due compensation.  

Why are faulty airbags so dangerous?

Airbags are a critical safety feature in all modern vehicles. But defective airbags, particularly those made by now-defunct supplier Takata, can deteriorate over time.

These airbags use ammonium nitrate as a propellant, a chemical which can become unstable as it ages.

When triggered, this instability can cause the airbag mechanism to explode with excessive force. And in rare cases, spontaneously, send metal fragments into the vehicle’s cabin.

Rather than offering protection, these dangerous airbags can cause serious or even fatal injuries. Several deaths have been linked to this defect in recent years, including a recent fatality in France.

Regulators and manufacturers now advise that any car under a stop-drive alert must not be used until repairs are carried out.

What’s the impact on UK drivers?

According to lawyers, many affected drivers have been told their car insurance is invalid if they continue to drive, while others have faced charges just to have their vehicle collected for repair.

Some drivers have no idea when their car will be fixed. Replacement airbags are in short supply, and garages are reportedly overwhelmed. For people who rely on their cars for work, care, or daily life, the disruption has been severe. And it’s not just about getting from A to B. Missed work, disrupted medical appointments, cancelled holidays, and the ongoing stress of having a car you can’t use are all part of the picture.

Drivers affected by the recall have reported:

Insurance issues

Some insurers will not cover the vehicle while it’s under a stop-drive order.

Transport disruption

Many have been left without a car, and courtesy vehicle support has been inconsistent.

Repair delays

Replacement airbags are in short supply, with garage appointments booked months ahead.

Poor communication

Long hold times on helplines and vague repair timelines are common complaints.

What support should you expect?

Manufacturers say repairs are free, but the level of support varies widely. Here’s what you might reasonably expect:

Keep a record of all costs and communications. It could help you build a case for compensation later.

What does UK law say about safety defects?

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have the right to expect that your car is:

If these standards aren’t met, you may be entitled to:

Think your rights have been broken? You may be eligible to join a Citroën airbag claim.

Can you claim compensation for a dangerous airbag?

Group litigation over faulty airbags is already underway in countries like Italy and France. It is very likely the UK will be next. 

Italy dangerous airbag class action against Citroën

On 14 April 2025, a Turin civil court approved a class action suit on behalf of Citroën and DS3 owners produced between 2009–2019. The lawsuit allows owners 150 days to join, with hearings set for 21 November and claims potentially reaching €285 million (~£245m).

Legal pressure intensifies in France

In July 2024, A criminal complaint against Citroën was launched. Lawyers accused Stellantis of "endangering the lives of others, deception, and deceptive commercial practices." A wider class action registered nearly 1,347 people. In June 2025, France’s transport minister requested removal of all C3/DS3 models with the Takata fault from roads.

UK group action claim against Citroën

UK law firms are now actively exploring a potential group action over the Citroën airbag fault. Lawyers argue that Stellantis and Citroën knew, or should have known, about the risks years ago, but failed to act. So if you’ve been told not to drive your Citroën because of a dangerous airbag fault, you may be entitled to compensation.

If a claim proceeds in the UK, drivers could be entitled to compensation for:

How do I know if my vehicle is affected?

If you think you are affected, but you haven’t yet heard from Stellantis, you can check your vehicle yourself. Doing so is especially important for anyone who may have changed address and not yet updated their details with the DVLA.

To check your vehicle, you can:

Use the car registration number to check if it’s been recalled

You can do this via the UK government’s free recall checker.

Use your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to check if it’s been recalled

Use your VIN to check on the manufacturer’s recall site, For Citroëns, the VIN is shown on your V5C registration certificate/log book. It contains 17 characters starting with VR7 or VF7. You may also find it on the bottom corner of your windscreen or inside the doorframe or engine bay.

Please note: while we link to official recall tools, we can’t verify the accuracy of any individual results. If you’re unsure or don’t receive a clear answer, we recommend contacting the manufacturer directly.

What to do if you are affected

Being told not to drive your car is more than just an inconvenience, it can throw your whole life off course. If you’ve received a stop-drive notice or discovered your vehicle is part of a recall, there are some practical steps you can take right away.

Acting quickly can help protect your safety, reduce disruption, and improve your chances of getting compensation.

If you continue to drive a vehicle in a dangerous condition, you could:

Are other car brands at risk?

Takata airbags weren’t only used in Citroën cars. Other manufacturers may also be affected, and lawyers warn that additional recalls may be on the horizon. We’ll post details about any other recalls here as and when that happens. 

Jaguar Land Rover airbag recall

In July 2025, Jaguar Land Rover issued a recall for nearly 21,000 Range Rover Evoque SUVs manufactured between 2021 and 2025. The recall in the United States followed concerns that the front passenger airbag could tear during deployment, potentially allowing hot gases to escape and increasing the risk of serious injury.

The issue was linked to inconsistencies in how the airbags were folded during production. While this defect is unrelated to the Takata issue, it raises similar concerns about passenger safety.

Timeline: key global events in the airbag recall scandal

  • 2008

    Reports emerge of airbag ruptures linked to Takata inflators.

  • 2009

    A teen in the U.S dies when the airbag in her 2001 Honda Accord explodes. Honda and Takata deny fault. Another Honda fatality follows. Initial limited recalls begin.

  • 2010-2011

    Honda expands its airbag recalls.

  • 2013

    Globally, Toyota Motor, Honda, Nissan Motor, BMW and Mazda Motor recall millions of vehicles due to possibly defective Takata airbags.

  • 2014

    Global attention intensifies after more incidents. Investigations look into potential issues with ammonium nitrate inflators. Takata says there is nothing to indicate any inflator safety defects. More recalls take place.

  • 2015

    In the U.S, Takata agrees to pay a fine of $70 million. Global awareness of the crisis escalates, and further recalls are triggered across multiple brands. The death toll rises.

  • 2017

    Three Takata executives are criminally charged. The company pleads guilty, facing a $1 billion settlement and enters bankruptcy. At least 16 deaths are linked to the fault.

  • 2023

    Global airbag-related deaths reach 30+.

  • 2025

    A fatality in France prompts Stellantis to issue a European stop-drive alert for Citroën C3 and DS3 models. Italy and France launch class actions. UK recall begins with over 120,000 vehicles affected.

How Join the Claim can help

UK law firms are now exploring a potential group action against Citroën. If you’ve been impacted, check your eligibility, register your interest, and we’ll keep you in the loop.

Think you might be owed compensation?

Use our quick checker to find out.

If eligible, we’ll look to match you with a regulated UK law firm. You’ll be notified if a group action proceeds and given the option to join.

FAQs about making a dangerous airbag claim

The problem lies with faulty airbags originally supplied by now-defunct manufacturer Takata. These airbags can explode with too much force during a crash, firing metal fragments into the car, sometimes with fatal consequences. Although this defect has been known about for years, Stellantis only recently issued a stop-drive warning in the UK after a woman died in France. Citroën drivers are now being told not to drive their cars until the airbag is replaced.

Thousands of Citroën and DS models are already subject to recalls. Other makes and models may follow.

Because certain airbags may explode during deployment, causing potentially deadly injuries.

If you own a C3 or DS3 built between 2009–2019, there’s a chance you are affected. Use the official VIN checker to confirm.

Do not drive it. Contact Citroën customer services or your local dealership to arrange a repair. If you’re struggling to get help, keep a record of all communication.

No. Not if it’s under a stop-drive notice.

If you continue to drive a vehicle in a dangerous condition, you could:

  • Invalidate your insurance
  • Be fined up to £2,500
  • Be banned from driving
  • Get 3 penalty points on your licence

Ask for a courtesy car. If refused, keep receipts if you hire one yourself if necessary.

Possibly, but only if you genuinely need a replacement vehicle and keep all receipts. While you can request reimbursement, there’s no guarantee. If Stellantis refuses, your only option may be a group action compensation claim.

Yes – if your car has a serious outstanding recall (like the airbag stop-drive), it’s likely to fail its MOT. Until the fault is fixed and verified by the manufacturer, the vehicle may be legally unroadworthy.

You may be able to recover costs when you join a group legal claim.

We work with law firms that operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. That means you won’t pay anything unless your claim is successful.

In the UK, if a group of people have experienced loss, or otherwise been harmed by an organisation’s law breaking, they can come together to fight for justice. Levelling the playing field when standing up to big businesses, group actions prove that there is strength in numbers. At Join the Claim, we bring consumers and law firms together to ensure these group actions are as powerful as possible.

Final word: check your eligibility

Airbags are meant to save lives, not endanger them. If you’ve been affected by a faulty or recalled airbag, you could be entitled to compensation.

Check your eligibility, register your interest, and we’ll keep you in the loop.

Citroën wheel

Written by:

Picture of Bee Stuttard

Bee Stuttard

Bee is the content lead at Join the Claim, where she helps people understand their rights and take action when they’ve been wronged. With a background in PR, copywriting, and content strategy, she’s spent over a decade writing about legal matters – turning complex topics into clear, accessible resources that inform and empower.

From writing about data breaches to explaining how group claims work, Bee’s goal is always the same: to give people the confidence they need to take the next step. She’s committed to making legal information feel human, relevant, and easy to trust.

Disclaimer 

This guide is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate as of July 2025, regulations, recall details, and legal proceedings may change. Join the Claim is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. If you require legal advice or have specific questions about your rights or eligibility, we recommend speaking to a qualified solicitor or contacting Citizens Advice.

Last Updated: 16 July 2025

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