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

Unprecedented Safety Recall Affects Thousands

Stellantis has announced an immediate stop-drive action for Citroën DS3 vehicles manufactured between 2009 and 2019 equipped with Takata airbags. Owners are being notified to immediately cease driving their vehicles and contact their dealer network for necessary repairs, which will be provided free of charge.

Critical Safety Risk Identified

The urgent recall follows a tragic incident in France in June 2025, where a woman was killed in a minor accident involving the car’s airbag. The problem stems from Takata airbags, which have been at the centre of a massive global recall campaign. These airbags can become dangerous over time due to a defect that can cause them to explode when deployed, sending sharp metal fragments into the car’s cabin.

Scale and Response

On June 20, 2025, Citroën instructed 96,000 UK drivers to stop using their DS3 cars immediately. This represents a “code red” safety recall – the most serious type, rarely issued in the UK. To date, Stellantis reports that more than 66,000 vehicles have had their airbags replaced, meaning that over two-thirds of these vehicles are now safe and legal to drive.

What Owners Should Do

Owners should immediately check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the Citroën UK website to determine if their vehicle is affected. If impacted, they should not drive the vehicle unless absolutely necessary and register through the website or contact the Recall Helpline at 0800 917 9285 for a free repair. Additional support is available through Citroën Customer Care at 0800 093 9393.

Insurance Implications

Regarding insurance coverage, while policies don’t automatically become void due to the recall, it’s crucial for owners to inform their insurers. If drivers ignore the manufacturer’s instruction not to drive their car, insurers could refuse to pay out in the event of an accident.