Stellantis is launching a large recall operation that shakes the automotive sector: nearly a million Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, Opel and DS vehicles, equipped with the 1.5 BlueHDI diesel engine, are affected by a risk of engine breakage.
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This massive reminder targets the models produced between 2017 and 2023, including the popular Citroën C3 and C4, Opel Corsa and Mokka, as well as the Peugeot 208, 2008 and 308.
At the heart of the problem, premature wear of the camshaft chain, an essential part that synchronizes the opening and closing of the engine valves. The first alert signs? Suspicious noises, ranging from the simple click to a “noise of cicadas”, which quickly increased the discontent among motorists. In the most serious cases, these mechanical problems ended in a valve breakage, or even an engine breakage.
In the territory of Belfort, Senator Cédric Perrin is indignant on his Facebook page. “Carlos Tavares and his completely crazy policy of Cost Killer will have very seriously damaged this beautiful company that is Stellantis”, before adding:
Poor quality catches up with this French industrial flag that has returned North Franche-Comté so proud of knowingly thousands of Peugeot employees… what sadness !!!
Cédric Perrin
Senator of the Territoire de Belfort
Faced with the scale of the phenomenon, Stellantis reacted by gradually contacting the owners concerned, in France as in the rest of Europe. During the concession, a dedicated application now makes it possible to diagnose, attentive to the engine, the wear status of the chain and replace it if necessary.
To reassure its customers, the manufacturer has also decided to extend the guarantee of these engines up to 10 years or 240,000 kilometers. Motorists who have already paid repairs linked to this failure may request a refund, provided that the maintenance and diagnosis of their vehicle were carried out according to the brand’s recommendations.
Cost hunting by imposing suppliers in Eastern countries, the flight of technicians and engineers who can no longer bear the pressure imposed by Tavares and this cost policy to give 20 % minimum profit to shareholders will have worked to kneel the company.
Cédric Perrin
Senator of the Territoire de Belfort
This recall is added to a series of difficulties for Stellantis, already faced with other campaigns concerning Takata airbags or the Puretech engine. The new managing director, Antonio Filosa, has made the reliability and quality of vehicles an absolute priority to restore the image of the group.