Tens of thousands of drivers are being warned that their cars may pose a fire hazard due to a fault affecting 1.2-litre petrol engines. The recall involves popular models from Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall, and other Stellantis brands including DS Automobiles, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Fiat.
Stellantis has launched a voluntary recall of approximately 44,000 vehicles in the UK built between 2023 and 2026. The issue relates to insufficient clearance between the gasoline particulate filter pipe and the pole protection cup of the 48-volt belt starter generator. In wet conditions, contact between the components could allow water to enter the engine bay, potentially leading to a fire.
Speaking on BBC One's Morning Live, consumer expert Louise Minchin urged affected drivers not to ignore the recall. She emphasised that even if the car seems to run perfectly, it could still be affected. The fix, which takes about 30 minutes, is free and available regardless of where the vehicle was purchased, its age, or warranty status.
Key models affected include the Citroen C3, Peugeot 208, and Vauxhall Mokka. Stellantis is contacting owners directly to arrange appointments with dealers. The corrective action involves replacing the pole protection cup with one of higher insulation and checking the clearance between the filter pipe and the starter generator.
Drivers can check if their vehicle is subject to a recall via the government recall checker on the Gov.uk website using their car's registration number. Stellantis advises owners to contact their nearest dealer to schedule the free repair promptly.
