UK owners of certain Citroen C3 and DS3 models are still facing long delays in getting dangerous airbags replaced, as the scale of the airbag recall continues to grow. Around 120,000 cars across the country are affected by the ‘stop-drive’ campaign, and some Parkers readers are reporting serious issues with the recall process.
Parkers has been experiencing the saga first-hand with its own Citroen DS3. Attempts to book recall repairs this week have revealed just how overwhelmed dealers and helplines are. After finally reaching Stellantis’ recall hotline, we were simply told to ‘talk to your dealer’.
One dealer never answered, while another eventually offered a cancellation slot – for mid-August (five weeks from the time of the call). Standard dealer bookings are stretching into October and beyond. Our advice is to get booked in as soon as possible, no matter how far away the date is, and make sure you get a record of it. Once you have a confirmed appointment, keep checking back to your dealer (and others) regularly for cancellations.
Inconsistent dealer service
Some dealers are updating their availability daily, so persistence can pay off. Stellantis has confirmed that Peugeot dealers are now authorised to carry out the work, helping to ease the pressure. However, this isn’t working as it should.
Parkers reader Martin Webster backed up what we found that the service received is not consistent across the dealer network. ‘When I went into my local Peugeot dealer today, they told me that they have not yet been commissioned to carry out any work,’ he said.
Martin added: ‘They said they were not expecting to do so for at least another month to six weeks – and that also depended on getting stocks of airbags. They did say that other Peugeot dealerships had been instructed to carry out the work but could not tell me which ones!’
What models are affected?
The affected models include the second-generation Citroen C3 (2009-2016), as well as the Citroen DS3 and DS 3 models built up to 2019. Letters have been sent to owners instructing them to stop driving their cars immediately. Stellantis, parent company of Citroen and DS Automobiles, said the recall reflects its ‘unwavering commitment to customer safety’, but acknowledged the pressure the system is under.
The recall was triggered after a fatal accident in France involving a 2014 Citroen C3, where the airbag inflator exploded and fired metal fragments into the cabin. The same defect has led to millions of recalls worldwide, with Takata airbags known to become unstable as they age, particularly in humid or high-temperature conditions.
Speaking to Parkers, Jeremy Townsend, head of communications for Stellantis UK, said: ‘Our focus is on completing the replacement of airbags in affected vehicles as swiftly as possible. Working hand in hand with our Citroen retailer network, we’re maximising the number of vehicles we can repair every day. To increase our repair capacity further, work is ongoing on introducing additional airbag replacement sites at convenient locations as well as repair-at-home options.’
What is Citroen doing about it?
Citroen says it is working urgently to tackle the crisis by employing third parties suppliers to help replace airbags, including offering mobile repairs in some cases. One dealer told Parkers that the RAC is offering a mobile repair service through citroenrecall.rac.co.uk, but details on availability remain unclear. When tried the service we received no response at all.
Reader David Hughes told us: ‘I’m registered with the RAC home repair and have beeb since 2 July as yet not been given a date or ETA and no way of finding out how far up the list I am.’
Martin Webster’s experience with the RAC’s service was even worse: ‘I filled in the RAC form for a home repair and submitted it. However, I then received a phone call from the RAC to say they were not carrying out these airbag replacements and could not help.’ We’ve approached Citroen for a comment about this, but have so far received no answer.
We also attempted to book a mobile repair via a third-party provider recommended by our local dealer in an attempt to help, but despite leaving messages and submitting details, we received no response at all. That reflects the broader strain on the system, even the alternative options are struggling to keep up.
‘It’s inevitable, with such a large number of vehicles affected, that customers will be inconvenienced in the short term,’ Jeremy Townsend added. ‘However, we are deploying a variety of options to support mobility, recognising that every driver will have individual requirements, and that priority needs to be given to customers with the most urgent needs.’
What owners need to know
If you own one of the affected Citroen or DS models, here’s what you should do:
- Don’t drive the car if advised not to. This recall is extremely serious. There is a real and documented risk of injury or death if the faulty airbag deploys.
- Check if your car is affected. Visit the recall page on the Citroen website or call the Citroen recall helpline on 0800 917 9285, although be prepared for long wait times on the phone.
- Book a repair as soon as possible. Dealer capacity is severely stretched. In our own case, the earliest repair slot offered was August, and some owners report dates stretching into 2026. However, Peugeot dealers can now help too, so ask if they have earlier availability.
- Keep the pressure on. Stay persistent with your dealer or Stellantis customer service. While Stellantis says it is prioritising urgent cases, the scale of the recall means there will inevitably be delays.
- Clarify your insurance. If you’ve received a stop-drive notice, don’t assume you’re covered to drive. Call your insurer and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. We can’t emphasise this enough – it’s down to your insurer to decide whether the car can be used or not. Reader David Hughes reported that, ‘I contacted my insurance and was told I am still able to drive my car as long as I hand it over for repair when needed.’
We’re keeping our own DS3 off the road for until its trip to the local Peugeot dealer in August. Until the airbag is replaced, we’re not prepared to take the risk, and if you’re affected, we’d urge you do the same.
Meanwhile if you’re struggling with the issue, drop us a line and we’ll try and advise.
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FAQs: Important stop-drive insurance questions answered
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Is your car insured if it’s subject to a stop-drive notice?
This is an important point for anyone affected by the Takata airbag recall or any stop-drive order. The short answer is: it depends on your insurer, and you must tell them.
You’re still insured by default. Your policy doesn’t automatically become void just because your car is recalled. However, if you ignore a manufacturer’s instruction not to drive your car, your insurer could refuse to pay out if you’re involved in an accident. They could argue you were knowingly driving an unsafe vehicle. -
What should I do if my car is under a stop-drive recall?
Contact your insurer immediately. Tell them your car is under a stop-drive recall and that you’re following the advice not to drive it. They’ll note it on your policy and advise you what cover remains in place while your car is off the road. Most insurers will still cover your car for fire, theft and damage while it’s parked.
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Can I get a courtesy car while my vehicle is off the road?
Some insurers might help with a courtesy car if your vehicle is undriveable due to a safety recall. But this varies between policies, so it’s important to ask your insurer what help they can offer.
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What’s your best advice if I’ve received a stop-drive notice?
Don’t assume you’re automatically covered to drive a recalled car. If you’ve received a stop-drive notice, park it up safely, call your insurer and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. It could save you a huge headache if something goes wrong.
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