Citroen Owners Issued URGENT ‘DO NOT DRIVE’ Order!
If you own a second-generation Citroën C3 (2009–2016) or a first-generation DS3 (2009–2019), stop everything. You might be sitting behind a steering wheel that could literally kill you. In June 2024, Citroën issued a Europe-wide “Do Not Drive” order for thousands of these models after a horrific fatal incident in France – where an airbag deployed during a minor crash and shot metal shrapnel into the driver’s face, killing her. That’s right – the very safety device designed to protect, became the instrument of death.
The Takata Airbag Scandal Rears Its Head Again
At the centre of this storm is the infamous Takata airbag crisis – the same scandal that’s been haunting manufacturers for over a decade. These airbags use ammonium nitrate as a propellant, which degrades over time (especially in hot or humid conditions). Instead of inflating safely, they explode violently, sending shards of metal flying into the cabin.
Globally, over 30 deaths have been linked to these airbags – and now they’re causing chaos for Citroën and DS owners in Europe and the UK.
What the ‘Do Not Drive’ Order Means
Roughly 120,000 UK cars are affected. Owners of these cars are being told not to drive them under any circumstances. That includes:
- Citroën C3 (2009–2016)
- DS3 (2009–2019)
Potentially also:
- Citroën C4 (2010–2018)
- DS4 (2010–2017)
- DS5 (2010–2018)
Owners are instructed to check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) immediately via Citroën’s recall checker.
Worse still, used car dealers have been banned from selling these models until the airbags are replaced – and in many cases, dealerships are being overwhelmed. Some owners have been told the soonest available repair appointments are in 2026!
Can’t Drive, Can’t Sell, Can’t Fix – So Now What?
You might be thinking: “I’ll just swap the steering wheel out for a nice aftermarket one and be done with it.” Think again.
It’s illegal to remove a factory-fitted airbag and replace it with a non-airbag wheel. Doing so could:
- Cause your car to fail its MOT
- Invalidate your insurance
- Get you fined or even charged for driving an unsafe vehicle
- Leave the vehicle still flagged with an unresolved safety recall
So, sorry petrolheads – no cheeky Momo wheel workaround here. You’re stuck until Citroën sorts you out.
Still Listed for Sale?
Shockingly, a recent study by Which? revealed that hundreds of affected cars were still being advertised for sale online – without any warning to potential buyers.
Auto Trader has now started flagging affected models, but private sales are still a legal grey area. If you’re buying a used C3 or DS3, do your due diligence before handing over any money.
Also, know that these cars won’t pass an MOT with this recall status hanging over them. You might end up buying a car you legally can’t even drive home.
Stellantis: Sorry, Not Sorry?
Citroën’s parent company Stellantis has admitted they’re overwhelmed and trying to expand repair capacity, including:
- Authorising Peugeot workshops to carry out repairs
- Launching mobile repair units
And the worse part: no compensation is currently being offered to affected owners. That’s right – your car might be parked up for a year or more, depreciating in value and gathering dust – and there’s no word on a courtesy car or cash payout.
Some legal experts predict class-action lawsuits may be incoming, particularly from used car dealers left holding unsellable stock and owners unable to get to work or resell.
What You MUST Do Now
If you own one of the affected vehicles:
- ✅ Check your VIN immediately: Citroën Recall Checker
- 📞 Contact your Citroën dealer to book a repair slot
- 🚫 DO NOT drive the car if affected
- ❌ Do not sell or buy these models until cleared
Spread the Word – Save a Life
This isn’t a minor mechanical fault – this is a potentially deadly defect. Many of these Citroëns are still on the road, being driven by unsuspecting owners, students, young families, and older drivers who may not even realise there’s a recall.
Please share this post, forward the video, and tag anyone you know with a Citroën C3 or DS3. You could literally save a life.
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