Martin Lewis MSE warning for 120,000 drivers hit with deadly car recall

Brits are being urged to follow strict orders following a rare recall affecting thousands of drivers.

Earlier this month, around 120,000 Citroen models in the UK were hit with a deadly 'do not drive' warning due to a critical airbag safety issue. The recall was initiated by Citroen's parent company Stellantis after they discovered affected airbags could, under certain circumstances, explode — posing a severe risk of injury or death to any occupants.

This issue is related to the broader Takata airbag crisis, which has led to recalls of tens of millions of vehicles worldwide from numerous manufacturers. While the risk was previously considered low in the UK due to the country's milder climate, the seriousness of the fault prompted action following at least 18 deaths in France — including 16 in its hotter overseas territories — all associated with Takata airbags.

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The French transport ministry has also issued a 'stop-drive' recall on 2.5 million vehicles with Takata airbags, but in the UK, only the specified models are currently affected by Stellantis' recall. Described as extremely rare, the 'stop-drive' recall affects the following models:

• Citroen C3 (manufactured from 2009 to 2019)
• Citroen DS3 (manufactured from 2009 to 2016)
• DS Automobiles DS3 (manufactured from 2016 to 2019)

Despite swathes of Brits being completely reliant on their cars to get to work, drop their children off at school, or even look after family members - Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert (MSE) team has warned Brits they must comply. "Ignoring a stop-drive order can lead to legal repercussions, such as a fine, a driving ban or points on your licence," they said.

"It could also invalidate your insurance, meaning you may not be covered if you need to make a claim. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says you should always let your insurer know if your vehicle has been recalled and follow any guidance it gives you."

The advice is clear: if you own one of the affected models, you must not drive it until all checks are complete. Owners should look for a notification from Stellantis, but even without receiving a letter, MSE highlights that you should take the initiative and use your vehicle identification number (VIN) to check your car's recall status on the Citroen website's dedicated tool.

"Your VIN can be found in your vehicle log book — it's 17 characters long and will start with either VR7 or VF7," MSE added. "If you don't have your log book, you can look for your VIN through the front windscreen of the vehicle, in the left or right hand bottom corner, on the doorframe, near the door catch [or] within the engine compartment."

Stellantis released a statement on the Citroen website, reiterating the importance of the recall. "Owners of such vehicles should immediately cease using their vehicle when safe to do so," it said. "Vehicles included in this new stop-drive action in the UK, were already part of an ongoing comprehensive recall campaign that started over one year ago, first in Southern Europe and then expanded northwards.

"Recall decisions, especially stop-drive actions, are based on multiple factors, including airbag specifications, vehicle age and usage, climate conditions, and notifications from regulatory authorities. Whilst there have been no reported instances in the UK, Stellantis has decided to deploy a stop-drive order for all impacted vehicles across Europe, including the UK. This decision underscores the company's unwavering commitment to customer safety."

There is also a telephone helpline that those affected can call: 0800 917 9285. If your car is subject to the 'stop-drive' recall, it cannot be legally driven until the issue is fixed and verified by Stellantis.

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My car has been recalled - will I get it fixed for free?

MSE highlighted the practical difficulties caused by this order — that those affected face the sudden inability to use their cars, with no guarantee of swift repairs. Stellantis has stated that repairs are free, but timelines are uncertain — some drivers report being told it could take weeks, even months before their cars are repaired.

The experts advised that drivers affected by the recall can ask Stellantis for a courtesy car by contacting customer care, but warn Stellantis is prioritising those with the 'most urgent need' and has not made the criteria for this clear. If a replacement vehicle is not provided either by Stellantis or your finance company, MSE says it is reasonable to hire one yourself and expect reimbursement, but advises caution — while Stellantis has said it will not offer compensation for inconvenience, you may still have some luck if you complain to Citroen's customer care. Keep all receipts if you rent your own car and notify your dealer or finance provider, as reimbursement is not guaranteed and may require a small claims court case.

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