Citroen is facing criticism for its handling of a major airbag recall, with the consumer advocacy group Which? describing the process as “chaotic”. The recall, which affects thousands of Citroen vehicles, was initiated due to a fault with the airbag system that could cause it to deploy incorrectly or not deploy at all in the event of a crash.
Which? has been investigating the recall and has spoken to numerous Citroen owners who have experienced difficulties in getting their vehicles repaired. Many have reported long wait times for appointments, only to be told that the necessary parts are not available. Others have been given conflicting information about the status of their vehicle and the recall.
The recall affects certain models of Citroen vehicles, including the C3, C4, and DS3, manufactured between 2013 and 2016. The fault is caused by a problem with the airbag’s pyrotechnic component, which can become damaged over time. If the airbag deploys incorrectly, it could cause serious injury or even death.
Which? is urging Citroen to take immediate action to improve the recall process. The group is calling on the manufacturer to provide clearer information to affected owners, to ensure that all necessary parts are available, and to prioritize repairs for vehicles that are most at risk.
“Citroen’s handling of this recall has been chaotic,” said a spokesperson for Which?. “It’s unacceptable that owners are being left in the dark about the status of their vehicle and the recall. Citroen needs to take urgent action to improve the process and ensure that all affected vehicles are repaired as quickly as possible.”
The UK’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has also been critical of Citroen’s handling of the recall. The agency has expressed concerns about the manufacturer’s communication with affected owners and the speed at which repairs are being carried out.
In response to the criticism, Citroen has apologized for any inconvenience caused and has promised to improve the recall process. The manufacturer has stated that it is working to increase the availability of parts and to reduce wait times for repairs.
However, Which? remains skeptical about Citroen’s ability to improve the process quickly enough. The group is urging owners of affected vehicles to contact Citroen and request a repair as soon as possible. Which? is also calling on the DVSA to take further action to ensure that Citroen is held to account for its handling of the recall.