Takata Airbag Recall Advice - Citroen C4

bex88

Hi all - I guess I'm a bit late to the party with this one, I had no idea this was a thing.

So in September last year, I bought a 2016 Citroen C4 Auto from a small car dealer (no mention of this recall from themselves). A while after I had it, I received a letter through the post about an urgent safety recall for the airbag and that I need to contact my local citroen dealer to get it fixed for free.

Me being me, I hate phoning people, so I searched up where the closest dealer was - Group 1 Citroen in Peterborough. So I sent Group 1 a message on FB about it, stating the recall code. They told me:

"As this is an urgent safety recall, we will escalate this on your behalf to ensure you are contacted shortly."

Nothing…

So I contact them again, they say they are escalating it, but nothing.

Upon googling the recall code I come across a fb page relating to people going through it - well now I'm even more concerned as there people on there saying works carried out have cause other electrical issues etc…
This car was my most expensive car I've ever bought (I'm low income and especially as the Autos are harder to come by) so I want everything to be all ok and safe with it. I've just saved up and spent out on new battery, tyres, rear springs, wipers for it, as well as a fix of small bit of peeling paint on the boot so. I'm rural and have no other way to get to work than to drive.

There are quite a few recommending contact this company called Formel D. I have messaged them tonight, so I'll see what they say - but I also found a post from someone on here complaining about Formel D's work causing an issue with their car.

Never heard of Stellantis, but people were mentioning that name too, so I've gone on their website, tapped my reg in and mileage and postcode and the closest deal it brings up on there is in Leicester, an hour and a half away from me!?

I'm not really too sure what is the best option - can anyone who has had theirs sorted please advise?

Many thanks

sheenas

The dealer illegally sold you the car with a known safety recall. It is covered in the general product safety regulations 2005. So you could make it his problem.
Stellantis Group own a hole host of car companies including Citroen. You can deal with this by simply booking in a the dealer, its free.

The car should not be sold in this condition.

Woodstok2000

There's some info here that may be of interest:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2025/09/citroen-stellantis-recall-latest/

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6655869/takata-airbag-recall-advice-citroen-c4

Best option. Visit a Citroen dealer & sort it in person.

savergrant

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81889306#Comment_81889306

The trader did not act improperly. 2016 models were not covered by the notice of 9th September, only older models. Post 2013 models were added to the list in December 2025 as part of their commitment to replace all takata airbags

"The 'do not drive' order now applies to ALL:

• NEW. Citroen C4 models manufactured between at least 2010 and 2013."

bex88

Thanks all, still trying to work out if it's best to try again with a Citroen dealer, or Formel D, or any others, or - not bother???! Very interested to hear from anyone who has been through the process. I don't want to take it in and get it back with other issues..

I'll have a look at the letter again tomorrow and see what date it was sent as I can't remember when I received it.

facade

The reason for the recall is because a lot of manufacturers, Stellantis group included, chose to save around £1 per inflator buying very cheap ones from Takata. No other manufacturer could compete (because they made theirs properly).

Unfortunately (as predicted by the Engineers at a major competitor) the cost cutting was a step too far, and in hot humid climates the inflation chemical becomes unstable and explodes when the airbag is triggered sending a hailstorm of metal fragments into the driver's face.

This should not be a problem in the cool climate of the UK, but when the deaths attributed directly to these airbag inflators Worldwide reached double figures manufacturers couldn't avoid having to replace them (buy cheap, buy twice as they say). I believe the closest death to the UK was in the South of France. (I believe this death triggered the French Government into ordering Citroen to stop procrastinating and change them)

Your choice, it is a fairly low risk but the risk is definitely there (I'd definitely have mine changed, in fact I had both mine changed in my Nissan without issue). You cannot sell the car to anyone knowing that it has a "Do not drive" order and an outstanding safety recall though.

Changing the airbags is extra super trivial, and even the kid who washes the cars on less than minimum wage can do it, you really have to try hard to damage anything else, so although I don't doubt that some people had Problems develop right after changing the airbags, I don't think the airbag would be the direct cause- remember we are talking about cars renowned for electrical problems and software "glitches" anyway.

sheenas

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81890679#Comment_81890679

I had a Mercedes done many years ago with airbag recall and all was fine. I think it best done as your could have issues when you come to sell it and should not sell it in this condition. Airbags going off can cause broken ribs and other injuries.

bex88

Thanks again all, I was shocked that I have actually received a call on Friday from the Citroen dealership and have booked the car in for Thurs this coming week!

Would it be wise to take pictures of the dash etc... ?

facade

It won't hurt.

More importantly, remove all your personal items from the interior, and empty the glovebox.

They should just remove the padded centre of the steering wheel and most likely replace the passenger airbag through the glovebox.

bex88

It's all done and as far as I can tell, nothing untoward has happened. I did think I might get some kind of receipt or letter to say the they have been done though.