Urgent 'Stop-Drive' Order: 120,000 UK Cars Taken Off the Road

Consumer advocacy group Which? has strongly urged Stellantis, the parent company of Citroën, to swiftly address what it calls a “chaotic” handling of a major vehicle recall involving potentially dangerous airbags. On June 20, Stellantis issued an unusual and urgent “stop-drive” order for certain models fitted with Takata airbags, which are part of a global recall due to safety concerns.

The airbags in question may deteriorate over time due to chemical instability, increasing the risk of them exploding and causing serious injuries. Although there have been no reported incidents in the UK, the precautionary recall has affected around 120,000 UK customers—many of whom now find themselves unable to drive their vehicles and without access to alternative transportation.

Stellantis has promised to repair the affected cars free of charge, but delays are widespread. According to Which?, many drivers are facing long wait times and struggling to get clear information or practical assistance.

One such customer is Paul Baker, a printer engineer from Derby, who purchased a new DS3 vehicle in early June for his wife's daily commute. A month later, he discovered through news reports that the car was under a “stop-drive” recall. He stated that he never received any official notice from the DVSA. Upon contacting Citroën to arrange a repair, he was told the earliest available appointment would be in November. Paul’s insurer informed him that his policy would remain valid even if he chose to drive the car, but he described the entire experience as offering “a complete lack of support.”

Another affected driver, Eva Lauren Kelly from Cardiff, had planned a mid-August camping holiday to the Netherlands, complete with non-refundable ferry and Eurotunnel bookings. Her DS3 was declared undriveable due to the recall, leaving her facing the loss of nearly £1,000. On top of that, her car’s scheduled repair date clashed with a major surgery in London. Wanting to avoid added stress, she ultimately purchased a new vehicle for £10,000 to resolve the issue herself. She described the situation as “a gigantic headache” and said that Stellantis had been “resoundingly unhelpful throughout.”

Which? reported that many consumers have shared similar stories of distress, including a mother with a premature baby requiring frequent hospital visits and a woman caring for her terminally ill husband who must attend critical appointments. These individuals have been forced to bear significant costs for taxis, rental cars, and other travel options due to the sudden unavailability of their vehicles. Some drivers, desperate for mobility, have continued driving their recalled cars despite the risks—often confused by conflicting information from insurers, some of whom assured them they were still covered.

Stellantis has said it will consider providing alternative transportation on a “case-by-case basis,” prioritising those with urgent needs. However, some customers were told they could receive a maximum of £22.50 per day in compensation—an amount Which? argued falls far short of typical vehicle hire costs in most areas.

The watchdog is now calling on Stellantis and Citroën to take immediate action. Their demands include resolving helpline issues, launching a transparent and fair compensation scheme, and offering practical solutions such as courtesy vehicles, home repairs, or towing services—so that owners don’t have to drive potentially unsafe cars to a garage.

Sue Davies, head of consumer protection policy at Which?, criticised the current situation, stating:
“From people left stranded with no means of transport, to those paying out a fortune to hire cars and taxis, the emotional and financial burden of this recall has fallen squarely on those least able to absorb it. Stellantis must urgently confirm it will pay compensation for alternative transport, and offer practical solutions such as at-home repairs or vehicle recovery. Otherwise, many people will feel they have no choice but to continue driving cars that could pose a serious danger.”

She also urged government authorities to step in and ensure consumers are properly informed of their rights and never left in such a vulnerable position again.

In response, Citroën said it expects all affected airbags to be replaced by the end of the following month. The company assured that it is working at full capacity to complete the repairs quickly, with both Citroën and Peugeot networks involved in the effort. At-home repair options have also been authorised to increase accessibility.

The company acknowledged the inconvenience to customers, saying, “With so many vehicles impacted, some disruption is unfortunately unavoidable. We are discussing support options with each customer, recognising that every situation is different and requires a tailored approach.”