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BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Automotive
- BreakingNews.ie
Many Irish Citroen drivers still not responding to lethal airbag recall
Citroën Ireland says that it is 'well over halfway through' dealing with the cars affected by a serious stop-drive notice because they are fitted with airbags from the now-defunct Japanese company Takata, which can be deadly. However, Colin Sheridan of Gowan Auto — which is the privately-owned distributor for Citroën in Ireland — told 'There is still a sizeable number of drivers who haven't yet been to their dealership. Some are on their third official letter, and many of those are registered letters which have been signed for, so we know that someone is getting them.' Advertisement The safety issue at the heart of all this revolves around the airbags fitted to Citroën C3, Citroën DS3, and DS 3 models made between 2009 and 2019. Those cars were fitted with airbags made by the Japanese company Takata, which has been at the centre of a global scandal involving its airbags since 2013. In 2013, following a spate of deaths involving cars equipped with Takata airbags, it was found that because the company — which declared bankruptcy in 2017 — had been cutting corners in its manufacturing, its airbags could spew shrapnel, made up of tiny pieces of the airbag mechanism, if the airbag inflated in an accident. That shrapnel could cause serious, even fatal, injuries, and it's estimated that at least 35 people have been killed, worldwide, by these faulty airbags, with around 400 people injured. The scandal triggered the recall of more than 100 million cars around the world, involving brands such as Honda, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz. Citroën's latest emergency measure comes as it appears that the airbags contain chemicals that may deteriorate over time, which could cause the inflator to rupture and lead to serious injury. The most recent incident occurred when a woman in Reims, driving a Citroën C3, was killed when her airbag inflated following a minor collision in June. The Takata airbags use ammonium nitrate gas for the instantaneous inflation that's designed to prevent injury. But the gas can deteriorate in hot and humid conditions, leading to a too-powerful explosion which flings the deadly shrapnel straight at the driver. Advertisement Gowan Auto said 1,869 cars are affected here, and all owners who will be contacted by Citroën will have to stop driving their cars until a repair can be organised. However, Gowan seems to be avoiding the pitfalls in this recall, which have affected Citroën in France and the UK. Stellantis Group, which owns the Citroën brand, has been sharply criticised by consumer organisations in France for not tackling the problem sooner. Meanwhile, Citroën in the UK — where some 120,000 cars are affected — has also been criticised for not being able to provide sufficient courtesy cars. Citroën UK has said that it will prioritise courtesy cars for those 'most in need' but has then not specified precisely what that means. In the UK, many Citroën owners are reporting delays in getting an appointment for an airbag replacement t of as long as six months, stretching into January 2026. Here, that seems not to be an issue. Sherdian told The Irish Times that Citroën's dealers here now have the replacement of the dangerous airbags down to a fine art, and that in most cases an appointment should be available on a 'next-day' basis, or even sometimes on the same day. Advertisement In theory, Citroën's dealers here will arrange to collect the car on a flat-bed or tow-truck, as the stop-drive order is a serious one, and it's considered dangerous to drive these cars until the faulty airbags have been replaced. Nonetheless, it seems that some Citroën owners are ignoring this and simply driving their cars to the dealership. A question mark remains over insurance in such circumstances. While Gowan Auto says that it's 'unaware of any insurance issues', in theory, there is a legal obligation not to drive the car, and continuing to do so could invalidate your insurance and even potentially lead to a fine. Theoretically, if a car is declared unsafe to drive by its manufacturer, then under EU regulations, its insurance would be invalid. Those affected by this stop-drive order are advised to immediately contact their insurer for advice. Lifestyle What every Irish motorist needs to know: What to d... Read More The repair itself takes officially less than two hours, and in some cases, Sheridan said that dealers and their technicians have refined the art of airbag replacement so that it can take mere minutes. Only a handful of bolts need to be undone, and the faulty airbags are then placed in a secure box to avoid any potential detonation or injury. In some cases, the work can be carried out at the car owner's home. If you're unsure as to whether or not your car is involved in the stop-drive order, Citroën Ireland has a dedicated section of its website where you can enter your car's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is usually to be found on the passenger side of the dashboard, beneath the windscreen. You can access the dedicated web page here: Advertisement As to those remaining drivers who continue to ignore letters informing them of the stop-drive order and asking them to bring their car in for the necessary repairs, it remains to be seen what can be done. Sheridan told The Irish Times that among the group of private Citroën importers, Gowan Auto is ahead of its targets, set by Citroën and Stellantis, for reaching people, and that a fourth round of letters will be sent out, most likely by registered post once again. 'It's 65 million vehicles around the world which have been affected by Takata' Sheridan told The Irish Times. 'There are 35 car manufacturers involved, so this is a big, sizeable job to get done, and we're well on the way to doing so, and ahead of where we need to be on the curve, just at this moment in time.'
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Second-hand Citroen C3 sales halted over airbag recall
The warning was extended after the French manufacturer's parent company Stellantis issued a 'stop-drive' notice to certain Citroen models in June. It comes after a woman sustained fatal injuries caused by an airbag in a 2014 Citroen C3 in Reims, France, last year. Stellantis UK announces an immediate stop-drive action for all Citroën C3 (second generation) manufactured between 2009 and 2019 equipped with Takata airbags. Owners of such vehicles should immediately stop driving their vehicle. — Citroën UK (@CitroenUK) June 20, 2025 Now, second-hand Citroens are also being included in the warning amid thousands still being listed for sale across the UK, according to This is Money. 'Buyers could have been driving away in potentially dangerous motors while also invalidating their insurance,' an article states. Since then, a team of motor trade lawyers have now issued a nationwide warning to used car dealers to suspend sales of vehicles in stock What Citroens are being recalled? The vehicles affected are second-generation Citroen C3s produced from 2009 to 2016 and first-generation DS3s manufactured from 2016 to 2019. As a result, around 82,000 C3 and DS3 models have been removed from the road across France. What is the recall on the Citroen C3 2025? The vehicles use Takata airbag systems, which could be faulty. However, Stellantis UK said that there were no reported incidents of faults in the UK, but it has decided to take action regardless. The car manufacturer in a recent statement said: 'Stellantis UK is mobilising its full network of suppliers, retailers and manufacturing plant to support this action to ensure the fastest, safest and most convenient solution for each customer. Got a 'do not drive order' from Citroen or DS car, we've added a few extra items and clarifications to our 'what are your rights' news story... — Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) July 10, 2025 'Stellantis remains fully committed to acting swiftly, transparently, and responsibly in addressing this issue.' Owners have been told to book their vehicles in to be rectified as early as possible and to not drive them in the meantime. However, a study by Which? revealed that hundreds of these cars were listed for sale on major used vehicle websites with no information that the manufacturer had issued a stop-drive notice. How do I check my Citroen recall? If you already own an affected Citroen, you should be contacted by letter, or you can check whether your car is affected by using the VIN check tool on Citroen's website. Recommended Reading: You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find this: at point 1 on your MOT certificate in part 4 (vehicle details) at point E in the vehicle's log book (V5C) A spokesperson from Stellantis said that they were 'working to maximise' the number of vehicles it can repair each day, with priority given to those with urgent needs.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major road used by thousands of Irish drivers closed for over two WEEKS with diversions in place
A MAJOR road used by thousands of Irish drivers is now closed for over two weeks with diversions in place. Fingal County Council has alerted Ballymadun Road in north The closure will be in place from 8am to 6pm daily, starting Monday, July 28 until Friday, August 15. And Fingal County Council said: 'An application has been received from Fingal County Council Operations Department for permission to temporarily close Ballymadun Road, Ballymadun, Co. Dublin for the purpose of resurfacing the road. READ MORE IN MOTORS 'It is proposed that the road will be closed from 08.00 to 18.00 from Monday 28th July to Friday 15th August 2025.' Access for pedestrians, local residents and emergency services will be maintained at all times. No construction will take place on Sundays or Traffic heading west toward Nutstown will be diverted via the L-5018 to Garristown, turning right onto the R130 and continuing straight until Nutstown Cross. MOST READ IN MOTORS Eastbound drivers going to Ballymadun will be diverted from Nutstown Cross onto the R130 toward Garristown, turning left at the R130/L-5018 junction and continuing on to Ballymadun. Diversion signs will be in place to guide I'm an Irish driving instructor and here is what I would do to pass the test for the first time tomorrow Fingal County Council added: 'Pedestrians, Emergency Vehicles, and local access will be facilitated. "Pedestrians, Emergency Vehicles, and local access will be facilitated. "Diversion signage will be in place for the duration of the closure." MOTOR BRAND RECALL Meanwhile, Irish car owners of a popular motor brand have been warned to Citroen C3 and DS 3 The Road Safety Authority shared the warning on The recall affects certain Citroen C3, C-Zero and DS 3 models as their Takata airbags could burst with excessive force if they deploy in a crash. 'DO NOT DRIVE' The RSA said: 'Important notice for owners of a Citroen C3 and DS 3. 'Citroen/DS Ireland have asked vehicle owners of certain Citroen C3 and DS 3 models to stop driving their vehicle until the airbags have been replaced by a dealership.' This deterioration could make the inflator explode more violently than intended, leading to pieces of metal striking the driver or passengers. The RSA said this fault can cause serious or even They said: 'Takata airbags may deteriorate over time, particularly in warm, humid climates'. 'This could cause the airbag to burst with too much force in the event of an accident, which could lead to serious or even fatal injuries in the worst-case scenario.' 1 Ballymadun Road is now closed temporarily to allow for resurfacing works Credit: Google Earth
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Second-hand Citroen C3 sales halted over airbag recall
The warning was extended after the French manufacturer's parent company Stellantis issued a 'stop-drive' notice to certain Citroen models in June. It comes after a woman sustained fatal injuries caused by an airbag in a 2014 Citroen C3 in Reims, France, last year. Stellantis UK announces an immediate stop-drive action for all Citroën C3 (second generation) manufactured between 2009 and 2019 equipped with Takata airbags. Owners of such vehicles should immediately stop driving their vehicle. — Citroën UK (@CitroenUK) June 20, 2025 Now, second-hand Citroens are also being included in the warning amid thousands still being listed for sale across the UK, according to This is Money. 'Buyers could have been driving away in potentially dangerous motors while also invalidating their insurance,' an article states. Since then, a team of motor trade lawyers have now issued a nationwide warning to used car dealers to suspend sales of vehicles in stock What Citroens are being recalled? The vehicles affected are second-generation Citroen C3s produced from 2009 to 2016 and first-generation DS3s manufactured from 2016 to 2019. As a result, around 82,000 C3 and DS3 models have been removed from the road across France. What is the recall on the Citroen C3 2025? The vehicles use Takata airbag systems, which could be faulty. However, Stellantis UK said that there were no reported incidents of faults in the UK, but it has decided to take action regardless. The car manufacturer in a recent statement said: 'Stellantis UK is mobilising its full network of suppliers, retailers and manufacturing plant to support this action to ensure the fastest, safest and most convenient solution for each customer. Got a 'do not drive order' from Citroen or DS car, we've added a few extra items and clarifications to our 'what are your rights' news story... — Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) July 10, 2025 'Stellantis remains fully committed to acting swiftly, transparently, and responsibly in addressing this issue.' Owners have been told to book their vehicles in to be rectified as early as possible and to not drive them in the meantime. However, a study by Which? revealed that hundreds of these cars were listed for sale on major used vehicle websites with no information that the manufacturer had issued a stop-drive notice. How do I check my Citroen recall? If you already own an affected Citroen, you should be contacted by letter, or you can check whether your car is affected by using the VIN check tool on Citroen's website. Recommended Reading: You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find this: at point 1 on your MOT certificate in part 4 (vehicle details) at point E in the vehicle's log book (V5C) A spokesperson from Stellantis said that they were 'working to maximise' the number of vehicles it can repair each day, with priority given to those with urgent needs.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Second-hand Citroen C3 sales halted over airbag recall
The warning was extended after the French manufacturer's parent company Stellantis issued a 'stop-drive' notice to certain Citroen models in June. It comes after a woman sustained fatal injuries caused by an airbag in a 2014 Citroen C3 in Reims, France, last year. Stellantis UK announces an immediate stop-drive action for all Citroën C3 (second generation) manufactured between 2009 and 2019 equipped with Takata airbags. Owners of such vehicles should immediately stop driving their vehicle. Now, second-hand Citroens are also being included in the warning amid thousands still being listed for sale across the UK, according to This is Money. 'Buyers could have been driving away in potentially dangerous motors while also invalidating their insurance,' an article states. Since then, a team of motor trade lawyers have now issued a nationwide warning to used car dealers to suspend sales of vehicles in stock The vehicles affected are second-generation Citroen C3s produced from 2009 to 2016 and first-generation DS3s manufactured from 2016 to 2019. As a result, around 82,000 C3 and DS3 models have been removed from the road across France. The vehicles use Takata airbag systems, which could be faulty. However, Stellantis UK said that there were no reported incidents of faults in the UK, but it has decided to take action regardless. The car manufacturer in a recent statement said: 'Stellantis UK is mobilising its full network of suppliers, retailers and manufacturing plant to support this action to ensure the fastest, safest and most convenient solution for each customer. Got a 'do not drive order' from Citroen or DS car, we've added a few extra items and clarifications to our 'what are your rights' news story... 'Stellantis remains fully committed to acting swiftly, transparently, and responsibly in addressing this issue.' Owners have been told to book their vehicles in to be rectified as early as possible and to not drive them in the meantime. However, a study by Which? revealed that hundreds of these cars were listed for sale on major used vehicle websites with no information that the manufacturer had issued a stop-drive notice. If you already own an affected Citroen, you should be contacted by letter, or you can check whether your car is affected by using the VIN check tool on Citroen's website. Recommended Reading: Citroen C3 drivers told 'stop driving' due to airbag fault How you could get a roadside fine amid new DVSA changes DVLA issues warning to anyone who passed their driving test before 2015 You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find this: A spokesperson from Stellantis said that they were 'working to maximise' the number of vehicles it can repair each day, with priority given to those with urgent needs.
