What we know about the recall of the Citroën C3 and DS3, after a new fatal accident in France

It is a scandal that never ceases to make victims. The failing airbags of the manufacturer Takata, the name of this Japanese manufacturer sentenced to fraud and conspiracy in 2017 in the United States, made a second victim in mainland France. Consequently, the automaker Citroën asked, Tuesday, June 17, the immediate immobilization of all C3 and DS3 in Europe still equipped with this type of dangerous equipment.

In detail, 441,000 Citroën C3 and DS3 cars manufactured until 2019 are affected in Europe, including 82,000 in France, in addition to those which had already been immobilized. Franceinfo returns to this new wave of reminders of these vehicles.

A woman was killed after the explosion of her airbag

Airbags Takata has been confirmed in the death of a 37 -year -old woman in an accident on the highway on June 11 in Reims. The explosion of the airbag in its 2014 Citroën C3 caused “Very serious injuries” Having resulted in his death, according to prosecutor François Schneider. It was by wanting to avoid a heavy goods vehicle that the victim rubbed the safety slide of the fast lane, according to information from the Radio France investigation cell. His airbag then started. The car then stopped further on the aisle.

On site, the emergency services were immediately surprised to see the extent of his face injury, a facial trauma characteristic of accidents related to Takata airbags. According to information from Radio France, the victim had not received a recall letter to change the airbag of his Citroën C3, which dates from 2014. The group told AFP having sent a registered letter to the future victim on May 20. But the address from the gray cards file was incorrect and the letter had been returned to the sender.

This drama in Reims constitutes the second fatal accident in mainland France linked to the Takata airbags scandal, according to the Ministry of Transport. For the UFC-Que Choosing, “This new death is unacceptable and would have been avoided if the necessary measures had been put in place by Stellantis”owner of the Citroën brand. The consumer association therefore filed a complaint and requested the creation of a commission of inquiry “so that the dysfunctions are identified and the responsibilities are fully established”.

The Reims prosecutor’s office opened an investigation for manslaughter before divesting for the benefit of the Paris prosecutor’s office, which brings together the procedures in the Takata file at the national level. The Ministry of Transport has identified a total of 18 deaths and 25 people injured throughout French territory, including 16 deaths and 24 people injured in the overseas territories.

This new reminder concerns 82,000 cars in France

Tuesday, June 17, Philippe Tabarot, the Minister of Transport, asked for the immobilization of all the Citroën C3 and DS3 in order to change their airbags. So far, some drivers have been invited to replace their airbags, but not to stop using their vehicles.

Citroën reacted at the end of the day by the voice of its director Xavier Chardon by asking for a reminder, called “Stop Drive”across Europe “Given the context”. Either an immediate immobilization of all C3 and DS3 model cars, regardless of their production year, followed by repair. In detail, 441,000 Citroën C3 and DS3 cars manufactured until 2019 are affected in Europe, including 82,000 in France, in addition to those which had already been immobilized.

The vast majority of these 82,000 cars are Citroën C3 produced between 2014 and 2017, as well as DS3s produced between 2014 and 2019. “It is important that customers contact us”Xavier Chardon told AFP. “We do not flee our responsibilities. The vehicles have been recalled, we go a notch further with a ‘stop drive'”he added, by ensuring commitment “Personally that there is no longer a single Takata airbag in the Citroën”.

Two thirds of vehicles already recalled have been repaired

Since 2014, the industrial airbag industrial scandal of Japanese brand Takata has been shaking the automotive sector and has caused several deaths. Because of a badly aging gas, this safety equipment supposed to protect passengers in the event of a shock can explode, especially in hot and humid climates, by projecting parts of the drivers. Many manufacturers had to immobilize millions of vehicles worldwide, to replace defective airbags.

In France, Citroën had launched an immobilization of some 236,900 C3 and DS3 models in the north of the country in early 2025, after a first campaign in spring 2024 in southern Europe for certain models. The measure has not so far been concerned about cars made after 2013. After chaotic beginnings, especially for lack of airbags in sufficient number, the replacement meetings have followed up in the concessions.

For models made from 2014, a reminder by simple letter, without “stop drive”, had been launched in May 2025. “Our analyzes did not show a risk of degradation beyond 2013”said a spokesperson for Stellantis. Nearly a third of vehicles must still be repaired: out of more than 690,000 Citroën C3 and DS3 equipped with these failing airbags in France, 481,000 have been changed, Stellantis said, or 69.7% of the vehicles concerned.