Stellantis Orders Immediate Parking of Older DS 3 and Citroën C3 Models Due to Airbag Hazard

Stellantis N.V. $STLA has instructed UK owners of first-generation DS 3 and second-generation Citroën C3 vehicles, manufactured between 2009 and 2019, to stop driving their cars immediately. The directive follows renewed concerns over Takata airbag defects after a recent fatal incident in France.

Fatal Incident in France Triggers Escalation

The stop-drive order was issued after a woman in Reims died when a Takata airbag ruptured in her 2014 Citroën C3. French officials urged immediate action, demanding Stellantis address the safety risk posed by aging airbag inflators. The airbags, linked to chemical degradation over time, have been known to deploy with excessive force, sending shrapnel into the cabin. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot criticized Stellantis for its slow response, stating it fails to match the severity of the threat. French media outlet Radio France Internationale reported Tabarot's claim that the company must take more decisive action to protect drivers.

Vehicles Affected and Recall Status

Stellantis confirmed that around 690,000 units are equipped with the defective Takata components. While the automaker has replaced airbags in roughly 70% of these vehicles, approximately 207,000 units remain on the road with unrepaired systems.

Impacted models include:

• DS 3 Mk1 — originally sold under Citroën, later rebranded as DS Automobiles.

• Citroën C3 Mk2 — produced from 2009 to 2019.

• Units sold in the UK and across EU markets with similar configurations.

The airbag modules at issue contain ammonium nitrate propellant, which can deteriorate in heat and humidity, significantly raising the risk of rupture upon deployment.

Industry-Wide Recall Challenges Resurface

The Takata crisis, once the largest recall in automotive history, continues to disrupt operations across global carmakers. For Stellantis, the renewed scrutiny underscores the difficulty of managing legacy component risks and enforcing compliance among second-hand vehicle owners. The company’s recall efforts are complicated by incomplete owner databases, delayed service appointments, and aging vehicle fleets. Analysts suggest the persistent presence of unrepaired airbags poses reputational and legal risk to automakers still managing Takata fallout.

Regulatory and Market Implications

This development arrives at a time of increasing regulatory pressure in Europe. French authorities are demanding faster removal of unsafe vehicles from public roads. Stellantis may face further intervention if recall completion rates remain stagnant. Market analysts caution that unresolved safety issues can erode brand credibility and consumer confidence, particularly in the competitive EU compact car segment. Additionally, used vehicle valuations for DS 3 and C3 models could face further pressure as safety concerns spread.

Outlook: Accelerated Action Required

With regulators intensifying oversight and the public increasingly wary of Takata-linked systems, Stellantis must accelerate its repair campaigns and outreach strategies. The automaker's ability to restore confidence, through transparency and timely resolution, will be critical in the weeks ahead.