After the airbag scandal, the Stellantis group will still recall 68,000 cars out of factory between 2022 and 2024 due to a possible dysfunction of the engine cooling system, which can cause fires. Among used sellers, the models are struggling to sell for several months.
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The automaker Stellantis, Peugeot’s parent company, Chrystler and Fiat, announced to recall in France 68,000 cars, all produced between 2022 and 2024, due to a “supplier defect” on cooling nozzles its PureTech engines. Information from our colleagues from Provence, confirmed by the group this Tuesday, February 25.
A total of 57,000 Citroën C3 are recalled by the manufacturer, 8,000 Opel Corsa as well as 2,500 Peugeot 208. In common of these models: again the Puretech engine. The customers concerned should receive a letter inviting them to bring their vehicle to the dealer’s garage for a change of oil and oil filter. The operation solves the problem in 30 minutes, depending on the group.
At used car sellers, the information is added to the group’s series setbacks. “I haven’t been selling the Stellantis group vehicles for a year, except the Fiat,” said the Miracars manager at Pennes-Mirabeau (Bouches-du-Rhône). “We have to take care of all the repairs, that’s why I stopped selling their cars, the manufacturers do not assume.”, He said.
According to miracars mechanic, customers are worried and are reluctant to buy the vehicles affected by the engine. He highlights other problems, This time on 1.5 Blue HDI diesel engines “I have seven vehicles concerned in my park and I am sure I will not be able to sell them,” he sighs.
In the Garage Briffaut de la Timone, in Marseille, the manager confirms the problems related to cars of the Stellantis group. “As soon as they see the Puretech engine, customers turn the heels,” explains Thomas Jean-François. As a result, the company does not offer almost no more cars equipped with these engines.
Latest repair to date for the seller of used cars, a Peugeot 308 with a problem linked to the distribution belt. “We spent 1,500 euros in purchases of parts, not counting the workforce.”, Explains the manager. A difficult investment to make profitable at the time of the sale of the used vehicle.
In March 2024, Stellantis implemented an extension of the guarantee increased to ten years or 175,000 km for the problem of distribution belt of the 1.2 PureTech. It is therefore an additional problem for the engines of the Franco-Italian-American firm.
On the Facebook groups dedicated to the owners of Puretech vehicles, internet users wonder: “I unfortunately have two cars concerned (…) I am looking to sell one of 2016, but obviously zero touch … I only know Doing. “Lands up a member of the group. Conversely, others claim to have managed to resell their cars. “Finally rid of my Peugeot 208, resumed € 2,000 for 108,000 km!” Reads a surfer. The association “Victims of the Puretech engine” has mapped throughout France All the defects allocated to the engine.
Other problem: Takata brand airbags present in A hundred models 27 different brands, especially Some models of the Stellantis group. “The chemicals contained in these airbag takata influenses can deteriorate over time, especially when exposed to hot and humid climatic conditions. This can cause the rupture of certain influments in the event of an accident resulting in the deployment of ‘An airbag, likely to cause serious injuries or even deaths in the worst case. ” Precise Citroën on its website.
At the Garage Briffaut in Marseille, it was necessary to change the airbags on two Citroën cars. “We received a reminder letter, we asked the manufacturer to take care of it and it was done without problem, in three weeks,” explains Thomas Jean-François. Installed for thirty years at the Timone, the manager wants to nuance: “What brand today does not recall his models? But it is true that at Stellantis it’s unheard of”.
Laurent Marques sells used cars for nine years in Cassis in the Bouches-du-Rhône. Its customers come from the whole southern region. Among the dozens of cars available in his park, he has a 2014 C3 car. The airbags were changed five months ago by the manufacturer. Despite everything, “nobody wants this car, people are afraid.” Explains the cassidain.
For several months, the manager of ABYVAL AUTO has been reluctant to pick up cars from the group, he fears that they “have left on their arms”. He was not aware of the last reminder announced by Stellantis. “Between the airbags and the engines, it is not reassuring, in the future, we will be even more chilly and attentive. We will have to find out.”, Adds Laurent Marques.
The explosion of airbags with ammonium nitrate caused the death of at least 15 people in France, including 14 overseas, according to a investigation of the Radio-France investigation unit. More than 2.3 million cars are still equipped with defective airbag of Takata origin in mainland France, According to the Ministry of Transport. Regarding airbag reminders, they are underway and concern several brands and manufacturers worldwide, Recalls the ministry.