Citroen DS5
Registered from 2008 to 2018.
The manufacturer has told owners of one of these to stop driving until the repair is done.
- The airbag may deteriorate over time and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to 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 2013 2.0 diesel. 485 of 1,851 tests failed, 26%.
Better than 11% of 2013 cars. The typical one fails 19%, across 828 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 56% | 273 |
| Lights and electrics | 33% | 159 |
| Tyres and wheels | 28% | 135 |
| Brakes | 18% | 89 |
| Steering | 12% | 57 |
| Visibility | 9% | 46 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
Where it stands out against its peers
- Suspension: failed more often than 92% of 2013 cars — 56% of its 485 failed tests, where an ordinary 2013 car has 34%.
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.
- Suspension — 56% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Tyres and wheels — 28% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Brakes — 18% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Steering — 12% of its failures
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
- Lights and electrics — 33% of its failures
- Visibility — 9% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 160–180k miles this one fails 26% of its inspections, against the 24% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 17% | 12% | 35 | |
| 40–60k miles | 17% | 16% | 125 | |
| 60–80k miles | 27% | 20% | 390 | |
| 80–100k miles | 27% | 22% | 556 | |
| 100–120k miles | 28% | 24% | 381 | |
| 120–140k miles | 27% | 24% | 215 | |
| 140–160k miles | 27% | 24% | 91 | |
| 160–180k miles | 26% | 24% | 35 |
1,828 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 80k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2.0 diesel · 164 hp · 1671 kg · 2727 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.0 diesel · 163 hp · 1677 kg · 2727 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.0 diesel · 159 hp · 1718 kg · 2727 mm wheelbase · 4.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 2.0 diesel · 158 hp · 1720 kg · 2724 mm wheelbase · 5.0 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
SR/02976/25
The airbag may deteriorate over time and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to 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
A12/01186/21
The teeth of the timing belt may wear off prematurely due to excessive dynamic tension in dusty conditions. As a result, the engine may stall at high engine speeds and not being able to restart, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not meet 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
A12/01369/21
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 meet 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
A12/0269/17
Some tightening torques, including on the connection between the steering and the wheel pivot, may be incorrect. This could lead to excessive play in the steering and difficulty in controlling the vehicle's course.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/03128/23
The structure of the inflator in the front driver and passenger airbags can deteriorate. If the airbag deploys, it could result in fragments from the inflator casing 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.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0481/17
A problem with a component of the gearbox actuator could prevent gear changing or cause the driver to change to the wrong gear. This could lead to the vehicle moving in the opposite direction to that intended by the driver.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1484/15
In the case of negative exterior temperatures, and after repeated activation of the fuel heater, an electric connection on the cover of the fuel heater can overheat. This can cause the cover to melt, allowing air to enter the fuel system which could lead to stalling of the engine and loss of control of the car.
Recall of the product from end users