Stellantis faces mounting complaints over faulty onboard chargers

Stellantis is under increasing pressure as thousands of customers report persistent issues with the onboard chargers in its electric vehicles across Europe.

Since 2019, owners of Peugeot, Opel, DS, and Citroën models have been dealing with a recurring defect that renders their vehicles unable to charge via standard AC stations, forcing them to rely exclusively on highway fast chargers.

At the heart of the problem lies the Mahle-manufactured onboard charger, which converts alternating current from public or home charging points into direct current for the battery. The component was installed in at least ten Stellantis EV models, including the Peugeot e-208 and e-2008, Opel Corsa-e and Mokka-e, DS 3 E-Tense, and Citroën ë-C4. 

Switching suppliers

According to Dutch media, where the issue surfaced widely in the press, Stellantis continued to install versions of the same flawed component despite being aware of the problem until 2024, when it finally switched suppliers.

Owners report not only repeated charger failures but also poor communication and inconsistent service from dealers and customer support. Many have faced long wait times, with some waiting up to two months for diagnosis and repair.

Even when replaced, early versions of the new charger reportedly continued to exhibit the same issues. The repair cost for those out of warranty can reach up to €5,000, and several customers were forced to pay in full.

The automaker says it is trying to solve the issue with software updates before resorting to hardware replacements. However, critics say this approach delays meaningful action.

In a statement to media and consumer program Radar, Stellantis acknowledged the risk of failure but downplayed the scale, claiming “not all chargers are defective.”

Toyota also affected

Notably, the same Mahle charger was installed in Toyota models developed through its partnership with Stellantis, such as the Proace van. Yet, customer complaints about Toyota’s handling of the problem have been far fewer.

Toyota dealers appear to address the issue more swiftly, with some resolving cases within days — a sharp contrast to the prolonged delays reported by Stellantis customers.

In 2022, the Dutch Disputes Committee for Vehicles ruled in favor of a Peugeot e-208 owner who experienced frequent charging failures. Independent technical analysis confirmed that the onboard charger was likely the cause. The ruling terminated the customer’s private lease contract, setting a precedent for other claims.

Anouk Van Vliet, spokesperson for Stellantis, affirms that the specific onboard charger is no longer used on models currently for sale. “As of April 2021, we have extended the warranty for the onboard charger from two to four years. Also, in Belgium, the dealer network is fully aware of these changes and procedures.” 

She also adds there won’t be a recall action. Belgian customers experiencing problems can turn to their local Stellantis dealership. In Belgium, 11,000 models from the car group are equipped with a Mahle charger.