Around 120,000 UK motorists have been forced off the road after car manufacturer Stellantis issued an urgent “stop-drive” order for specific Citroen C3 and DS3 models. The instruction follows renewed safety concerns over faulty airbags supplied by the now-defunct Japanese company Takata, which have been linked to a fatal incident in France and a decade-long global recall crisis.
The recall affects C3 and DS3 vehicles built between 2009 and 2016, with some DS3 models produced up to 2019 also included. Due to the nature of the defect, Stellantis has warned owners not to drive their vehicles at all until the airbags are replaced. However, the rollout of repairs has been slow, with many customers facing long delays and difficulties securing appointments.
This latest development adds to the wider Takata airbag scandal, which has led to the recall of approximately 100 million vehicles worldwide since 2013. The defective airbags contain explosive chemicals that degrade over time, particularly in hot and humid climates. This instability can cause the airbag inflator to explode with excessive force during deployment, shattering its metal casing and sending shrapnel into the vehicle’s cabin.
Although numerous carmakers took swift action when the issue first emerged, Stellantis, then known as PSA Group, initially believed that airbags produced in European factories were not affected and continued installing them in new vehicles. It wasn’t until 2019 that the company acknowledged potential risks in European-made airbags and began a targeted recall campaign in warmer regions. This was expanded to cover all of Europe in 2024.
The urgency surrounding the issue escalated in June 2025 after a motorist in France was killed by shrapnel from a faulty airbag during a minor collision. In response, Stellantis issued a stop-drive order across the continent on 20 June, affecting vehicles in the UK as well.
Despite the safety risk, many drivers have reported confusion and frustration due to mixed messaging from Citroen and DS dealerships. Communication issues have compounded delays, with some owners unable to schedule repairs for several months. Stellantis has acknowledged the disruption but stated that the scale of the recall has made short-term inconvenience unavoidable. The company is working to increase the number of daily repairs and exploring options for off-site airbag replacements, including home visits.
Complicating matters further, affected vehicles cannot be safely driven to dealerships for repairs. Industry experts have advised owners to consult their insurers before attempting to move their cars. Stellantis has confirmed it is looking into alternative arrangements for transporting and repairing these vehicles.
In France, government authorities have taken more aggressive action by instructing drivers in hot regions and those with vehicles built before 2011 to immediately stop using any car fitted with Takata airbags. This measure affects around 2.5 million vehicles.
In the UK, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has expressed support for the stop-drive recall and is working with Stellantis to raise awareness, but has not yet mandated a broader recall.
Motorists are urged to check if their vehicle is affected through official recall platforms.
