Stellantis is facing another serious recall in Europe—this time targeting some of Citroën’s newest models. According to Autocar, the automaker has ordered UK customers not to drive certain right-hand-drive versions of the Citroën C3, ë-C3, C3 Aircross, and ë-C3 Aircross because of a potential brake failure issue.
The problem comes down to the pedal box assembly, which may not have been built to the correct specification. If it fails, drivers could lose braking ability, a major safety concern. Stellantis explained that if this were to happen, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) and electronic parking brake would remain operational, offering at least some backup.
To keep people on the road, the company is offering replacement vehicles while owners wait for inspections and repairs. Stellantis called this a “stop-drive action” to protect customers.
The issue isn’t just limited to Citroën. The new Vauxhall Frontera and Frontera BEV are also affected, since they share the same Stellantis Smart Car platform. Luckily, those models haven’t been delivered yet, so Stellantis says they’ll be fixed before reaching buyers. Fiat’s Grande Panda and Grande Panda BEV also share the platform, but Fiat confirmed that the issue had already been resolved during production, so no recall was necessary.
This new stop-drive order is the third Stellantis recall of this scale in just three months. Back in June, the company told all UK owners of older Citroën and DS models to park their cars immediately due to defective Takata airbag inflators. That campaign quickly grew to nearly 130,000 vehicles across models like the C3, C4, DS4, and DS5. Some customers reported waiting months for parts, with one owner told their car wouldn’t be repaired until January 2026.
The repeated stop-drive orders are raising concerns about Stellantis’s ability to manage such large-scale recalls across its wide portfolio of brands. While the decision to ground vehicles is the safest option, the delays in providing long-term fixes have left many owners frustrated.
For Citroën, this recall couldn’t have come at a worse time. The brand has been counting on the new C3 and Aircross to help fuel its growth in Europe. Instead, customers who just took delivery are now being told to park their cars indefinitely, shaking confidence in Stellantis’s quality control.
For now, affected Citroën owners in the UK should not drive their cars and should contact their dealer for guidance. Stellantis says loaner vehicles will be provided, but how quickly the company can roll out permanent fixes remains the big question.
Source: Autocar
