In August, the UK’s Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander publicly urged Citroën to do more to support motorists caught up in its stop-drive recall – one of the biggest safety actions seen in recent years. The manufacturer has since confirmed that more than 72,000 airbags have now been replaced, with most repairs expected to be completed by autumn. The DVSA has also issued new MOT guidance to help garages identify affected vehicles still awaiting work.
A few weeks earlier, we spoke to one of the UK’s leading automotive titles, AM Online, about this unfolding story and what it reveals about recall readiness in the automotive sector.
At the time, Stellantis had just issued an urgent stop-drive order for certain Citroën C3 and DS 3 models built between 2009 and 2019, following reports in France of Takata airbag failures that caused injuries and, tragically, at least one fatality. While no UK incidents had been reported, the scale of the action was significant – part of a Europe-wide safety campaign that has affected multiple carmakers over the past decade.
When we spoke to AM Online, our director of operations, Janine Macqueen, noted that Citroën wasn’t alone:
“The Citroën recall is just the latest in a long line of product issues in the automotive industry. Indeed, Citroën is not the only firm to have fitted its cars with potentially problematic Takata airbags; the French Transport Ministry has also issued warnings for owners of Audis, BMWs, Fords, Nissans, Peugeots and even Ferraris.”
That conversation highlighted one of the most common challenges in recall management – reaching affected customers quickly and clearly. Even in well-organised campaigns, data gaps and communication delays can slow the response and leave both drivers and brands exposed.
What others can take from this
For manufacturers, this case reinforces a few timeless recall lessons:
- Preparation pays off. Having recall data and communication systems ready in advance can cut activation times dramatically.
- Clarity builds trust. The faster customers receive accurate, branded updates, the more confidence they retain in the brand.
- Visibility drives improvement. Centralised, real-time tracking lets teams see who has been reached, what’s been resolved and where follow-up is needed.
At Marketpoint Recall, we call this being Recall Ready – combining communication, analytics and automation in one place so brands can act fast, stay compliant and protect customer trust.
You can read the full story on AM Online here. To access the piece, a quick free registration is required – it only takes a moment and gives access to a wide range of industry coverage.