Despite repeated appeals, hundreds of Citroën owners in Ireland have yet to respond to an urgent “stop driving” recall affecting nearly 2,000 vehicles.
The recall relates to defective Takata airbags, a safety issue that has impacted more than 30 car brands worldwide — from Toyota and BMW to Honda. Globally, around 65 million vehicles have been recalled.
The concern is that chemical components in the airbag inflators can deteriorate over time, particularly in warm and humid climates. In the event of a crash, the airbags may deploy with excessive force, posing a risk of severe or even fatal injuries.
Affected Models in Ireland
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Citroën C3 Phase 2 (24 Sept 2008 – 21 Feb 2017)
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Citroën C4 (2 Feb 2010 – 20 May 2018)
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Citroën DS3 (5 Dec 2008 – 30 May 2019)
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Citroën DS4 (5 May 2010 – 3 Feb 2017)
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Citroën DS5 (30 June 2010 – 9 Feb 2018)
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Citroën C-Zéro (Oct 2010 – Feb 2017)
Hundreds Still Unresponsive
Colin Sheridan, managing director of Citroën in Ireland, said that while the vast majority of recall letters have been successfully delivered and signed for, many owners have still not booked their vehicles in for repair.
“We are in a good place and ahead of the curve when compared to other markets,” Sheridan said. “But hundreds have not responded. We would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet been in contact to do so and make the booking to have the work done.”
Irish Citroën owners have already been contacted several times. The first notices were issued in January, even before Stellantis — Citroën’s parent company — launched its global “Stop Drive” campaign. Since then, three further reminders have been sent, including the most recent by registered post.
How to Check if Your Car Is Affected
Around 1,800 Citroën cars in Ireland are affected by the recall, with many understood to be UK imports.
Owners can check if their vehicle is included in the recall by visiting www.citroen.ie or contacting their local Citroën dealership.
