Thousands of UK motorists have been forced to take their vehicles off the road following a new safety warning issued over a potentially deadly airbag fault. This urgent recall, which affects certain Citroen C3 and DS3 models, follows a tragic incident in France and could impact as many as 120,000 car owners across Britain.
The safety alarm centres on second-generation Citroen C3 vehicles manufactured between 2009 and 2016, alongside first-generation DS3s built from 2016 to 2019. Both models are equipped with Takata airbags believed to pose a significant risk of failure. This latest announcement comes as part of a wider recall that has already seen approximately 82,000 cars removed from roads in France, after the death of a woman in Reims last year, reportedly caused by a malfunctioning airbag in a 2014 Citroen C3.
In the UK, drivers impacted by the recall will be notified by post, with letters already starting to arrive at addresses nationwide. However, some have voiced frustration at long waits for repairs. One affected motorist, Denise Harris, aged 67 from Hull, told the BBC her nearest available appointment to address the issue is not until January 2026. Ms Harris expressed disappointment at the situation, highlighting that despite having paid her car’s tax and insurance for the year, it would now “sit unused in the car park for six months” due to the recall.
Further illustrating the recall’s impact on people’s lives, another driver, Lisa Shackleton, 69 – also of Hull – said her vehicle was indispensable, regularly ferrying her unwell husband to hospital appointments and making lengthy trips to see her daughter, who is currently receiving chemotherapy. Shackleton lamented delays in obtaining a repair, noting that the first available slot was at the end of July, having only learned of the recall belatedly.
Motorists concerned that their vehicle may be affected are being urged to check via the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) tool available on Citroen’s official website. For those whose cars are affected, manufacturer Stellantis, which owns both Citroen and DS, has issued a clear instruction: do not drive the vehicle until the fault is fixed. Drivers are advised to stop using their cars as soon as it is safely possible.
Stellantis has assured customers that it is fully mobilising its resources – including supplier and retailer networks, as well as manufacturing plants – to offer what it describes as the “fastest, safest and most convenient solution”. In a statement, a spokesperson confirmed: “Stellantis UK is acting swiftly, transparently and responsibly to address this issue.” The carmaker emphasised that safety remains its top priority and that, although there have been no reported faults in the UK to date, a stop-drive directive is in place across all of Europe as a precaution.
According to Stellantis, the decision to issue a full stop-drive order was influenced by multiple factors, ranging from the age and use of the vehicles to individual airbag specifications and regulatory guidance. Notably, the affected vehicles had already been included in a broader recall campaign launched more than a year ago in Southern Europe, and subsequently extended northwards.
This latest development places renewed focus on the widespread Takata airbag scandal, which has triggered a lengthy series of recalls worldwide since defects were first discovered. The Takata airbag defect has been linked to several fatal accidents internationally and remains one of the largest automotive recalls in history.
Owners now face considerable inconvenience, with some unable to use essential vehicles for crucial medical journeys or daily activities. The industry’s challenge will be to ensure repairs can be completed as swiftly as possible, so drivers can resume the use of their cars and regain peace of mind.
Motorists are encouraged to remain vigilant for official correspondence and to seek guidance promptly if they suspect their vehicle may be affected by the ongoing recall. For now, the advice remains clear: when in doubt, do not drive the car until it has been checked and cleared for safe use.