David and Anne Bosworth, a couple from Scunthorpe, are among those affected by an urgent safety recall and stop-drive notice for their Citroen vehicle. The recall applies to Citroen C3 and DS3 models, manufactured in Europe between 2009 and 2019, following 35 fatalities worldwide associated with faulty airbags.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has cautioned that these vehicles should not be driven until remedial work takes place. This has left the Bosworths, and numerous others, without a feasible method of transport. David highlighted the gravity of the situation, given that his wife is dependent on an automatic vehicle for her mobility.
This is a wider concern with potentially tens of thousands of Citroen owners in the UK affected. Finding a resolution appears to be slow, with Anne Bosworth being offered an appointment for necessary repairs by her local dealership only in January 2026 and she has not been given a courtesy car in the meantime.
The DVSA has emphasised that driving an unsafe vehicle could lead to prosecution, a significant fine and could nullify insurance coverage. The recall comes as a response to serious safety worries concerning the airbag design by Takata, a Japanese firm. This was underscored by a recent fatal incident involving a Citroen C3 in France.
Citroen’s parent company, Stellantis, has enforced a stop-drive mandate across Europe, inclusive of the UK, in order to put customer safety first. It is advising affected motorists to verify their vehicle’s status using the VIN tool on the Citroen website or by contacting their local dealer.
Citizens Advice is encouraging all affected motorists to act swiftly to ensure their safety.
Acknowledgement: This article is adapted from original reporting by the BBC.
