Peugeot-Citroen-DS. A new major recall for the 1.2 PureTech engine
The three-cylinder 1.2 PureTech Turbo’s timing belt wear issues continue to be talked about. Following a major recall of 220,000 cars on sale at the end of 2020, Peugeot, Citroën and DS have launched a new campaign for newer models.
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Following the recall of more than 220,000 cars sold at the end of 2020, Peugeot, Citroën and DS are launching another campaign to fix problems caused by the premature failure of the timing belt of some 1.2 PureTech engines.
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In the auto industry, there are recalls almost every week. But it’s rare that they make as much noise as those released by Peugeot, Citroën and DS in late 2020. Remember: at that time, the three manufacturers had to bring more than 220,000 cars to the workshop in France. powered by the same 1.2 PureTech Turbo. Under certain conditions, their timing belt was likely to fail prematurely due to the degradation of the oil in which it bathes. Worse, especially in the eyes of the authorities, the debris from this crucial part risked clogging the brake assist vacuum pump and extended stopping distances. Measures were taken to prevent this phenomenon from happening again: belt modification in March 2017, compressed replacement frequency, new maintenance recommendations for small wheels… After all, it is for the same reasons that the three French manufacturers started. From December 8, 2022, a new campaign, this time carrying the code KGH for Peugeot and the code HLX for Citroën/DS.
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Despite several improvements, the 1.2 PureTech’s timing belt still requires regular monitoring.
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Which vehicles are affected?
In Lyon, France, the 134,170 equipped with the 1.2 PureTech (EB) correspond to only 13,165 cars for the DS in turbo versions. But according to the KBA of the German Transport Ministry, for Peugeot, this number rises to 330,973 units worldwide. Adding in the 221,295 Citroëns mentioned by the same source and an as-yet-unknown number of DS, the 500,000 mark is greatly exceeded. We also have to consider the Opel Crossland X and Grandland X models. However, we’ll take this information with a grain of salt, as the production range indicated by our neighbors across the Rhine looks very long between 2017 and 2020. Our research shows that models that meet Euro 6.2 emission standards and later are not affected by this recall, which has been confirmed to us by DS. Only those from April 2017 to Fall 2018 need to take the workshop. But if 2018 models aren’t being recalled, that doesn’t mean they’re immune to timing belt problems until June 2022.
The production line-up shares the current Peugeot 208, but not its predecessor.
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The second-generation Peugeot 3008 and 5008 are among the models potentially affected.
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Owners of the third version of C3 and small SUV C3 Aircross could also receive a letter, at least for copies produced before restyling.
Clement Choulot
Three models in the C4 family are affected by this recall: the old C4 compact, the C4 Picasso, which was renamed the C4 Spacetourer in 2018, and the C4 Cactus.
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The first generations of the DS 3 and DS 4 born under the Citroën label are the only DSs affected by this recall.
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This complements the previous campaign, which targeted vehicles manufactured between March 2013 and April 2017. The list of models is almost as long as the range of the three brands, as the 1.2 PureTech Turbo equips both city cars and SUVs. family or recreational vehicles. If you haven’t received a letter, you can check whether your Citroën, DS or Peugeot is affected by showing your serial number (the E on a gray card and visible under the windscreen) in online tools offered by the three brands. .
What is a planned intervention?
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Checking the width of the timing belt is a prerequisite for any other intervention.
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If the dates change, the problem remains the same as we explained in the preamble. Not surprisingly, the workshops therefore received similar instructions. Due to internal storage, they need to download and install the software update first “To improve brake assist system diagnostics and prevent the risk of reduced or lost brake assist.” While manufacturers rarely issue formal recalls for the sake of reliability, they are obligated to do so when there is a real safety hazard. Then the network will have to measure the width of the belt. If it is good, nothing more will be done. If only this check reveals an anomaly, several other interventions are possible, and they may require up to 12 hours of work in the worst case:
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The oil pump strainer may be clogged with debris from the belt. Then cleaning or replacement is necessary.
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What kind of support can I expect?
Since this is an official recall, you will not be charged for reprogramming the software or checking the belt. If the inspection reveals that the width of the belt is incorrect, on the contrary, it is better to follow the maintenance plan provided by Peugeot, Citroën and DS. Otherwise, if the age of the car is more than 6.5 years or more than 110,000 km, other interventions will not be covered by the manufacturer. let’s remember that the belt replacement interval was reduced to 6 years or 100,000 km instead of 10 years or 180,000 km, since the previous reminder. The chain has also been mandated to provide an annual oil change accompanied by a belt check for those traveling less than 10 km per day and less than 15,000 km per year.
During this new campaign, you may also be given a survey on this topic. Finally, a new enhanced maintenance plan can be offered with a €75 voucher for your next oil change. You are not required to sign it, but a record of this waiver will be kept. Finally, be careful if you have installed an ethanol conversion kit. An internal memorandum says so “As stated by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) in June 2017, the warranty cannot be maintained for vehicles modified by an E85 retrofit kit installer” . An association that Stellantis group boss Carlos Tavares recently slammed the door on, but which may try to deny you support here.
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