Peugeot 208, Citroën C3 and C4, Opel Corsa… Thousands of motorists are complaining about failures of the 1.2 PureTech turbo engine and are threatening possible collective action against Stellantis.
For several months, thousands of owners of vehicles from the Stellantis group, including well-known brands such as Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles and Opel, have complained of recurring mechanical problems linked to the 1.2 PureTech gasoline engine.
These failures, which can manifest themselves in a defective timing belt or even, worse, engine failure, have led to the formation of groups on social networks, the most popular of which brings together more than 14,000 angry owners on Facebook. Drivers are even considering legal action. Everything will depend on what the giant Stellantis is ready to offer them.
Tens of thousands of vehicles equipped with a 1.2 PureTech engine may be affected
The technical failures highlighted today could affect up to 500,000 customers. The vehicles in question have in common that they are all equipped with the 1.2 PureTech turbo engine from Stellantis. We thus find Citroën C3, C3 Picasso, C4, C4 Cactus, C4 Picasso and Berlingo; but also Peugeot 208, 2008, 308, 3008, 5008 and Partner. DS 3 and DS 4 models also share this engine, as do the Opel Mokka, Crossland and Grandland.
The lawyer Christophe Lèguevaques is at the origin of the myleo.legal/fr platform, which aims to defend the interests of the owners of these defective vehicles, we will talk about this further below. Several problems with PureTech engines have been identified. Among them: abnormal and sudden wear of the timing belt, excess oil consumption, hardening of the brake pedal, poor valve sealing, and even engine failure.
The Facebook group “PSA 1.2 PureTech Problemes” currently has more than 14,300 members reporting these same mechanical problems, some of which can be as costly as they are dangerous. The collective, which grows week after week, claims to want “ a group action “. He encourages people who are victims of the same problem(s) to join him.
If negotiations with Stellantis fail, class action could be initiated in court
Christophe Lèguevaques does not rule out the idea of legal action so that injured drivers can be compensated. “ We will first contact Stellantis to see if they are willing to make an effort to alleviate their customers’ miseries. This can be support for car or engine changes. Firstly, we will try to discuss with the car manufacturer and if we cannot do so, we will go to court. », Warns the lawyer.
In response, Stellantis tries to reassure in its own way, asserting that “ quality and customer satisfaction have always been the priority » of the company. According to the manufacturer, “ the 1.2L Puretech gasoline engine offers a high level of dynamic performance, combined with low CO emissions2 and controlled fuel consumption “.
He goes on to add that “ the performance level was achieved by reducing the internal mechanical friction of the engine and using a timing belt lubricated with engine oil “. However, under certain driving conditions, some customers may notice degradation of the timing belt, caused by premature aging of the oil. Stellantis then invites “ respecting the oil maintenance interval and using the correct oil ”, essential according to him for “ preserve the condition of the timing belt “.
Vehicle reliability remains at the heart of concerns, and owners are now expecting solutions to guarantee their peace of mind on the road. It is very likely that Stellantis will put his hand in his pocket if he wishes to avoid a large-scale trial.
Sources: Clubic, Facebook, The Telegram
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