A HUGE carmaker has issued a UK recall, over fears that the brake pedals could fall off one of it’s vehicle models.
Earlier this year, Stellantis, the parent firm of French car manufacturer Citroen issued a huge recall of its motors fitted with Takata airbags, after they were linked to a number of fatal accidents.
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The recall left 120,000 motorists unable to drive their vehicles, and now more models are being recalled, for a separate issue.
Citroen has urged anyone with a current C3 model to stop driving their cars, due to an issue with the break pedal.
The carmaker revealed that a problem with the assembly of the brake pedal box could result in the car’s brake pedal falling off, which would stop the mechanical brakes from being applied.
“During our regular quality process checks, an investigation revealed that certain right-hand-drive Citroen C3 and Citroen C3 Aircross could have a pedal box assembly that is not to the correct specification and is at risk of loss of brake capability,” it said.
“If this were to happen, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) and the electronic parking brake would remain fully operational.
“We are initiating a stop-drive action to protect all customers of the Citroen C3 and C3 Aircross affected. Customers will be provided a replacement vehicle whilst their car is checked and, if necessary, rectified.”
C3 models affected
All of Citroen’s current C3 range is affected by the recall.
This includes the following models:
- Citroën C3 (2025-present)
- Citroën e-C3 (2024-present)
- Citroën C3 Aircross (2025-present)
- Citroën e-C3 Aircross (2025-present)
Around 1,110 of these cars have so far been delivered to UK drivers, according to Stellantis.
The new Vauxhall Frontera and Vauxhall Frontera Electric models are also affected by the recall, however, these cars have not yet begun to be delivered to UK drivers.
What to do if you’re affected by the recall
If you own one of the affected models, you should stop driving it immediately.
This is because Stellantis has issued a “stop drive” recall, a rare warning that is put in place when the fault caused by the recall is so dangerous.
Courtesy cars will be offered to anyone affected by the recall, whilst their vehicle is checked, and, if required, fixed, by dealerships.
Your product recall rights
Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know.
Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action.
But it’s often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer’s website to see if a safety notice has been issued.
When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you – the customer – to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don’t there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault.
If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer.
They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice.
In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected.
You should not be charged for any recall work – such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item
Airbag recall
Earlier this year, Stellantis issued another “stop drive” recall, to owners of the Citroen C3 (2009-2019), DS3 (2009-2019), Citroen C4 (2010-2011), DS4 (2010-2011) and DS5 (2010-2013).
This is due to faulty airbags, with the vehicles all requiring repairs.
The recall was prompted by concerns over airbags supplied by the now-defunct Japanese manufacturer Takata, whose components have been linked to fatal accidents.
In one recent incident, a driver in France was killed after a minor collision resulted in metal shrapnel from a faulty airbag hitting them – prompting an immediate reaction from the company.
A spokesperson for Stellantis said at the time: “The company’s focus is on completing the replacement of airbags in affected vehicles as swiftly as possible.
“Working hand in hand with our Citroen retailer network we are working to maximise the number of vehicles we can repair every day.
“To increase our repair capacity further, work is ongoing on introducing additional airbag replacement sites at convenient locations as well as repair at home options.
“It is inevitable, with such a large number of vehicles affected, that customers will be inconvenienced in the short term.
“However, we are deploying a variety of options to support mobility, recognising that every driver will have individual requirements, and that priority needs to be given to customers with the most urgent needs.”