The massive recall of Citroën vehicles due to defective airbags, which already concerns 605,772 C3 and DS3 models worldwide, also affects certain C4, DS4 and DS5 models but without immobilizing the cars, Stellantis said on Friday.
(AFP / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD)
The three affected models use “different airbag references for which no cases of failure have been identified following rigorous and frequent field testing,” Stellantis said in a statement.
On Thursday, Le Parisien announced the recall of hundreds of thousands of C4, DS4 and DS5 vehicles sold between 2009 and 2019, also affected by the Takata airbag affair.
These airbags are responsible for several serious accidents due to the deterioration of a gas making them potentially dangerous, particularly in regions with hot and humid climates.
In the event of an accident, when the airbag is triggered, small parts could be thrown and cause serious injuries.
Tens of millions of cars from many brands (Mazda, Ford, Honda, BMW) have been recalled since 2014 for airbag replacement.
“There is a preventive recall measure in progress (without vehicle immobilization)” for the C4, DS4 and DS5 confirmed Stellantis. “Replacements are carried out in stages according to usual practice, giving priority to the age of the vehicle and geographical location,” added the automobile giant with 14 brands, specifying that no accidents involving airbags had not been identified on these models.
For Opel vehicles, “no cases of failure have been identified”, insisted the car manufacturer. They “are equipped with different airbags”.
Stellantis says it has deployed 60,000 courtesy vehicles to help its customers whose cars are immobilized. “To date, more than 60,000 C3 and DS3 vehicles have already been repaired or are being processed,” recalled the manufacturer.
Support described as sluggish and insufficient, according to many customers who are seeking compensation. Stellantis has set aside 941 million euros in 2022 and 2023 to “manage customer service” worldwide regarding this matter.