The automaker faces an unprecedented emergency. Following the discovery of defective airbags during tests in Loire-Atlantique, Stellantis takes drastic measures to protect its customers. Vehicles concerned are C3 and DS3 and registered between 2008 and 2013, presenting a fatal risk in the event of airbag trigger.
One more scandal for Stellantis
This new wave of immobilization is registered In the wake of the Takata scandal, which has been shaking the automotive industry since 2014. The criminal component, the ammonium nitrate used in the airbag deployment system, deteriorates over time. The consequences are dramatic: In the event of an accident, airbag can project metallic fragments into the cabin, transforming a safety device into a potentially fatal weapon.
The figures speak for themselves. In France, these defective airbags have already caused a death in mainland France and eleven overseas. The tropical climate of ultramarine territories accelerates the degradation of ammonium nitrate, multiplying the risks for drivers. This situation is not unique in Citroën: other manufacturers like Volkswagen, BMW, Nissan and Toyota also had to recall millions of vehicles equipped with these dangerous airbags.
A massive logistics response
Faced with this crisis, Stellantis deploys considerable means. The group mobilized eight factories in France to welcome customers: Rennes, Poissy, Sochaux, Mulhouse, Trémery, Charleville-Mézières, Hordain and Douvrin. The concessionaires, overwhelmed by the requests of worried motorists, offer replacement vehicles and now have replacement airbag stocks for immediate interventions.
But the challenge remains size. Of the 73,800 owners contacted in January in the north of France, only 42,400 made an appointment for a repair. Even more worrying, only 17,600 vehicles were effectively revised. These figures reveal the difficulties of communication and awareness that the manufacturer faces.
The situation is more complicated with the appearance of legal actions. Several owners of C3 have filed complaints against Stellantis for “endangering the life of others” and “deceptive commercial practices”. These legal proceedings are accompanied by requests for financial compensation, adding an economic dimension to this already complex crisis.
The next crucial steps
The automotive group does not intend to stop there. A new reminder phase will soon concern 869,000 vehicles sold between 2014 and 2019 in the north of France and other European countries, notably Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This time, without immediate immobilization, but with increased monitoring.
To strengthen the efficiency of this campaign, the Ministry of Transport multiplies initiatives. Information campaigns have been launched in the overseas service stations, and technical control centers must now alert customers concerned during the passage of their vehicle.
- Stellantis orders the immediate judgment of 236,900 Citroën C3 and DS3 in the north of France because of defective airbags
- Takata airbags have already caused twelve deaths in France, of which eleven overseas
- The manufacturer mobilizes eight factories and its network of dealers to replace dangerous airbags for free
