Citroen C3
Registered from 2002 to 2026.
About this model
The Citroën C3 is a supermini car (B-segment) produced by Citroën since April 2002. It replaced the Citroën Saxo in the model line up, and is currently in its fourth generation. Initial models of the Citroën C3 were built using the same platform as the Peugeot 206. The third generation model was released in January 2017.
From the Wikipedia article Citroën C3, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The manufacturer has told owners of 2 of these to stop driving until the repair is done.
- The propellant in the driver and passenger airbags may deteriorate over time. In the event of an accident in which the airbags deploy, it could rupture with too much force, injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
- The propellant in the driver and passenger airbags may deteriorate over time. In the event of an accident in which the airbags deploy, it could rupture with too much force, injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2017 1.2 petrol. 2,095 of 15,916 tests failed, 13%.
Better than 36% of 2017 cars. The typical one fails 12%, across 926 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 30% | 621 |
| Tyres and wheels | 27% | 574 |
| Body and structure | 24% | 499 |
| Brakes | 20% | 413 |
| Suspension | 13% | 270 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 11% | 238 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
Where it stands out against its peers
- Body and structure: failed more often than 97% of 2017 cars — 24% of its 2,095 failed tests, where an ordinary 2017 car has 4%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 27% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Brakes — 20% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn
- Suspension — 13% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Exhaust and emissions — 11% of its failures
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
- Lights and electrics — 30% of its failures
- Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Body and structure — 24% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 80–100k miles this one fails 27% of its inspections, against the 16% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 6% | 6% | 1,544 | |
| 20–40k miles | 11% | 10% | 7,199 | |
| 40–60k miles | 15% | 13% | 5,376 | |
| 60–80k miles | 21% | 15% | 1,496 | |
| 80–100k miles | 27% | 16% | 260 |
15,875 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 20k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.2 petrol · 89 hp · 1084 kg · 2539 mm wheelbase · 5.5 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.2 petrol · 84 hp · 1065 kg · 2539 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.2 petrol · 1057 kg · 2539 mm wheelbase · 5.5 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.2 petrol · 1051 kg · 2539 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 1.2 petrol · 81 hp · 1060 kg · 2520 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.2 petrol · 83 hp · 1121 kg · 2471 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.6 diesel · 90 hp · 1178 kg · 2463 mm wheelbase · 3.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.6 diesel · 94 hp · 1242 kg · 2478 mm wheelbase · 3.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.6 diesel · 95 hp · 1242 kg · 2456 mm wheelbase · 3.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.6 diesel · 94 hp · 1228 kg · 2456 mm wheelbase · 3.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 1.6 diesel · 94 hp · 1219 kg · 2387 mm wheelbase · 4.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 1.6 diesel · 1189 kg · 2451 mm wheelbase · 4.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
- Do not drive
EM/00004/24
The propellant in the driver and passenger airbags may deteriorate over time. In the event of an accident in which the airbags deploy, it could rupture with too much force, injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Request to stop driving
- Do not drive
EM/00006/24
The propellant in the driver and passenger airbags may deteriorate over time. In the event of an accident in which the airbags deploy, it could rupture with too much force, injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Request to stop driving
A11/00056/22
Improperly tightened rear axle components can result in loss or damage to the affected part (rod for the wheel and the chassis, brake caliper, rear axle fixing, ABS sensor, brake housing, brake housing support). This can lead to a loss of driving stability, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00080/24
The wall of the fuel tank could be too thin. This could cause a hole to appear in the nip line and result in fuel infiltration. The product does not comply with the Regulation on type-approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information nor with the Regulation for the purpose of improving the emission type approval tests and procedures for light passenger and commercial vehicles, including those for in-service conformity and real-driving emissions and introducing devices for monitoring the consumption of fuel and electric energy.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00095/23
Due to improper bolts of certain components (brake caliper, rear axle mount, ratchet wheel, ABS sensor, brake hose, brake hose bracket, front control arm, horizontal front control arm, anti-roll bar, power steering), the affected parts may be lost or damaged. This could lead to various malfunctions, such as a loss of connection between the rear wheel and axle tie rod, or a rupture of the rear brake line while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00511/22
Incorrect tightening torques of some fastenings on the rear axle can lead to a loosening of connections. This may lead to the deterioration in braking performance, loss of control over the vehicle and even to a loss of a wheel, thereby endangering the surrounding traffic. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01043/21
The propellant airbag inflator may experience a material alteration over time due to degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures and high-temperature cycling. In the event of an airbag being deployed, the excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to rupture and metal fragments may pass through the cushion material causing injury to the occupants. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01048/24
The lubrication of the vacuum pump may be insufficient, which can cause it break.This can lead to reduced braking assistance, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
16 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.