Citroën’s Takata crisis deepens: massive recall in Europe

Citroën is expanding its recall of vehicles equipped with defective Takata airbags to cover 869,000 units across Europe. The massive recall affects popular models like the Citroën C3 and DS3, manufactured between 2009 and 2017, and will be rolled out in phases.

The first phase, targeting 98,000 vehicles, kicks off at the end of this month. The campaign started in France and gradually extended to other European markets. Vehicle owners will receive letters instructing them to book an appointment with their dealer to have the airbags replaced.

This broader initiative follows earlier recalls in Southern Europe, where heat and humidity accelerated the degradation of Takata airbag components, increasing the risk of failure. “While the risk in Northern Europe is significantly lower, we’re taking no chances to ensure all affected vehicles are made safe,” stated Stellantis, Citroën’s parent company.

Takatagate: a nightmare

Takatagate has been around for over a decade, affecting numerous car brands. To recap: the defective airbags from the now defunct Japanese supplier use chemical propellants that can deteriorate in warm, humid conditions, potentially causing the airbags to deploy with excessive force.

This malfunction can propel metal fragments into the vehicle’s cabin, leading to serious injuries or even fatalities. These faulty airbags have been linked to multiple deaths and injuries.

Since 2014, millions of vehicles worldwide, including brands like Toyota, BMW, and Volkswagen, have been recalled due to Takatagate. In every case, hundreds of thousands of vehicles are involved—BMW recalled 1.7 million units in the US and China last year.

Citroën’s earlier campaign in Southern Europe achieved a 94% repair completion rate, but the company acknowledges that challenges like logistical constraints and lower public urgency could slow progress in Northern Europe.

Prioritizing oldest models

The recall runs through June and will first focus on older vehicles (2009-2010). Stellantis plans to manage parts availability and dealership capacity to ensure efficient repairs.

Unlike the Southern European recall, which mandated “stop-drive” orders requiring vehicles to remain stationary until repaired, Stellantis said the Northern European recall does not warrant such measures because of the “significantly lower risk level here,” the automaker explained. 

The scale of the recall has sparked criticism and legal consequences. Some owners have filed lawsuits against Citroën, citing “endangerment” and “misleading practices,” while French consumer advocacy group UFC-Que Choisir has announced its intent to take legal action. Citroën customers can check the recall necessity on a dedicated portal site by entering their VIN.

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