Critical Safety Recall: Citroën DS3 Owners Urged to Stop Driving Immediately

Major Safety Recall Affects Thousands of Citroën DS3 Vehicles

Stellantis, the parent company of Citroën and DS, has issued an immediate ‘stop-drive’ order affecting 120,000 vehicles in the UK. The recall concerns vehicles equipped with potentially dangerous ‘Takata’ airbags.

This critical recall specifically applies to DS3 models manufactured between 2009 and 2019, particularly those equipped with the Takata PSPI-6 inflator.

Immediate Action Required

The recall has been initiated due to serious safety risks associated with Takata airbags, which may rupture during deployment, potentially causing severe injury or death.

All DS3 owners must:
– Check if their car is affected by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on Citroën’s website
– Locate their VIN on their V5C registration certificate
– Make an appointment to get the issue fixed by registering on Citroën’s website
– Not drive their recalled car until it’s fixed, except to take it to the garage

Support and Compensation

Stellantis is offering goodwill payments of up to £22 a day to cover expenses while vehicles await repair. These payments will only apply for days when owners don’t have access to a courtesy car.

According to a Stellantis spokesperson, the company’s priority is completing the replacement of airbags as swiftly as possible. To increase repair capacity and minimize customer impact, the Peugeot network has been authorized to replace airbags in addition to offering at-home repair options.

Government Response

On August 19, 2025, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed “serious concerns” about the impact on drivers and wrote to Stellantis, calling for “immediate steps” to improve the recall process. This included ensuring all affected owners receive viable alternatives through courtesy cars, financial compensation, or at-home repairs, as existing arrangements were not meeting expectations.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is supporting this campaign by marking affected vehicles as unsafe within MOT records. Any car subject to the Stop Drive order will automatically fail its MOT test until the airbag system is replaced. This status will appear in the vehicle’s MOT history and may impact resale value. Additionally, insurers may refuse coverage if the vehicle is knowingly operated while under this critical safety recall.