Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has written to Eurig Druce, Stellantis’s UK group managing director, to express serious concerns about the recall’s impact on UK drivers. Stellantis ordered an immediate stop-drive for certain Citroen and DS Automobiles models on 20 June because of a potentially fatal airbag fault. In the UK, owners face several weeks off the road while repairs are arranged, with around 120,000 vehicles affected. There have been no UK airbag incidents, but the stop-drive was issued across Europe after a fatality in France.

In a letter she wrote to Eurig Druce, the UK group managing director of Stellantis, the secretary urged immediate steps to improve the recall process. She said the aim was to ensure affected owners are provided with viable alternatives—such as courtesy cars, financial compensation or at-home repairs—because existing arrangements were not meeting expectations. She noted that the recall has a serious customer impact and that disruption to UK motorists, especially the most vulnerable, is unacceptable. She cited reports from MPs and constituents detailing distressing experiences, lack of clear guidance and insufficient support for alternative transport. She added that the recall had exposed gaps in customer support and transparency, and while Stellantis had said it would minimise the burden on consumers, many affected had not seen this in practice.

Which? has described the recall as a major upheaval for owners who rely on their cars. It says it has heard from many distressed drivers, including the mother of a premature baby needing regular hospital visits and a carer for a terminally ill husband who has faced significant costs for hire cars, taxis or insurance. Some owners have continued to drive despite the risks. The watchdog notes that some were told they would receive a maximum of £22.50 (€25.9) per day in compensation. Citroen has previously said all airbags would be replaced by the end of September.