Motorists may be forced to wait for months to get their vehicles fixed as dealers struggle to deal with a repair backlog.
Citroen and DS dealers are struggling to cope with an unprecedented surge in demand after 120,000 vehicle owners were ordered to stop driving their cars immediately on 20 June due to faulty airbag concerns.
The safety recall affects second-generation Citroen C3 models manufactured between 2009 and 2016, and DS3 vehicles built from 2009 to 2019.
Workshops across Britain are now completely overwhelmed, with some dealers warning customers they cannot book repairs until 2026.
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Some motorists risk waiting months for a repair to their vehicles
GETTY
This leaves thousands of motorists without transport for potentially months, despite the serious safety risks posed by the defective Takata-manufactured airbags.
The crisis has intensified since recorded letters reached owners, with dealerships reporting their phone lines are constantly engaged as desperate customers attempt to secure appointments.
One dealership told Car Dealer Magazine that their phones have been "off the hook" since the stop-drive letters arrived, severely hampering their ability to make outbound calls.
Staff are working extra shifts, including early mornings, late evenings and weekends to manage the crisis.
The Citroen C3 has been hit with a 'stop drive' notice
GETTYDespite explicit instructions not to drive their vehicles, many owners are still bringing their cars directly to dealerships for repairs.
"Customers are keen to get the job done and are driving cars into us, even though we remind them they should not be driving them," a Citroen dealer said.
The repair process takes approximately 90 minutes per vehicle, creating significant bottlenecks in workshop capacity.
With such vast numbers requiring urgent attention, the strain on dealership resources has reached breaking point.
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DS Automobiles DS 3 models manufactured between 2016 and 2019 are being recalled
STELLANTISThe pressure on workshop staff has become unbearable, with one Citroen service manager reporting that, although it is a "relatively easy fix", mechanics need to crawl behind the hot dash in warm weather.
The manager added: "The stress on the managers and technicians is relentless. Some dealers are already turning customers away saying they cannot book until 2026."
One dealer described the situation as creating "immense pressure" on their teams, who are struggling to manage the sheer volume of work.
The combination of technical challenges, extreme demand and customer frustration has pushed many dealerships to their operational limits.
Millions of faulty Takata airbags have been identified around the world GETTY
Frustrated owners have taken to social media to complain about extensive waiting times, with reports emerging of customers being told repairs cannot happen until January or later.
Stellantis has acknowledged the widespread disruption, with a spokesperson stating: "It is inevitable, with such a large number of vehicles affected, that customers will be inconvenienced in the short term."
The manufacturer claims Takata-manufactured airbags are "available now" with a supply forecast through October. However, this assertion contrasts sharply with dealers' reports of extensive waiting times.
Stellantis says it is "mobilising" its dealer network and exploring additional solutions. "Work is ongoing on introducing additional airbag replacement sites at convenient locations as well as repair at home options," the spokesperson said.
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