Touchscreen / infotainment glitches
usually 0–150,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Freezes, climate controls on screen lag
Fix: Software update
€0–150
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Citroën C3 III
2016–2024 · Citroën C3 3
3
engines covered
13
known faults
70,651
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
31
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Citroën C3 III was built from 2016 to 2024.
For this generation we cover 3 engines and 13 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Timing chain (7 mm) premature wear / breakage: it usually appears at 40,000–240,000 km and costs €0–3,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (10.8 %), tyres and wheels (5.5 %), body and corrosion (4.1 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 / 1.2 PureTech (EB) | Petrol | Wet belt · 100,000 km | 0W-30 / 0W-20 · PSA B71 2312 / B71 2010 · ~3.25–3.5 L · every 10,000 km |
| 1.6 BlueHDi (DV6FC) | Diesel | Belt · 180,000 km / every 120 mo | 0W-30 / 5W-30 · PSA B71 2312 / B71 2290 · ~3.75 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.5 BlueHDi / EcoBlue (DV5R) | Diesel | Chain | 0W-30 / 5W-30 · PSA B71 2312 · ~4.25 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Takata airbag STOP-DRIVE recall (2009–2019)
at any mileage · High risk
model years 2009–2019 only
Signs: Driver / passenger airbag inflators can rupture — Stellantis stop-drive order in 2025
Fix: Do not drive; book the free replacement using the VIN
free / recall
Faults by engine
1.0 / 1.2 PureTech (EB)
Wet timing belt degradation
usually 60,000–120,000 km · High risk
Signs: Belt debris clogs oil pickup; oil pressure warning
Fix: Replace belt early; check extended warranty
€700–1,500
Oil consumption
usually 60,000–150,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Low oil warning between services
Fix: Monitor; repair under warranty programme
€200–3,000
Brake vacuum pump failure
usually 80,000–140,000 km · High risk
Signs: Hard brake pedal; linked to belt debris
Fix: Replace pump and belt
€400–900
Belt / oil pump extended warranty check
usually 0–240,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Stellantis extended cover for belt-related damage on many PureTech engines
Fix: Check with the dealer using the VIN; keep service records
free / recall
1.6 BlueHDi (DV6FC)
AdBlue tank / pump failure
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: 'Starting impossible in X km' warning
Fix: Replace AdBlue tank module (extensions exist)
€800–1,600
EGR clogging
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Power loss
Fix: Clean or replace EGR
€300–800
1.5 BlueHDi / EcoBlue (DV5R)
Timing chain (7 mm) premature wear / breakage
usually 40,000–240,000 km · High risk
model years 2017–2023 only
Signs: Cold-start metallic rattle, timing codes — can destroy the engine (built Oct 2017 – Jan 2023)
Fix: Check Stellantis extended warranty (10 yrs / 240,000 km); 8 mm chain + camshaft carrier kit
€0–3,500
Fuel rail nut leak — fire risk (2023–2025)
usually 0–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2023–2025 only
Signs: Diesel smell in the engine bay
Fix: Check recall status (free)
free / recall
AdBlue tank / pump failure
usually 60,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: 'Starting impossible in X km' warning
Fix: Replace the AdBlue module (extended cover exists)
€0–1,300
EGR / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Power loss, DPF light
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,500
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
EAT6 / EAT8 (Aisin)
EAT8 software / harsh shifts (2017–2020)
usually 20,000–120,000 km · Wear part
model years 2017–2020 only
Signs: Jerky low-speed shifts
Fix: Software update; fluid change at 60,000 km
€0–300
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.0 / 1.2 PureTech (EB) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 10,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Timing belt kit + water pump (belt runs in oil)Engine | every 100,000 km or every 72 months | €700–1,400 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 70,651 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.8 % | 3.9 % | 4.9 % | 6.6 % |
| Suspension | 0.6 % | 2.4 % | 6.3 % | 11.0 % |
| Steering | 0.1 % | 0.5 % | 1.5 % | 2.1 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 3.2 % | 5.5 % | 7.8 % | 8.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 4.6 % | 10.8 % | 20.2 % | 23.2 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.6 % | 4.1 % | 6.0 % | 7.2 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.5 % | 2.1 % | 7.5 % | 8.3 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (31). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Fire risk Alternator protection09/03/2026 · R/2026/073
- Visibility Citroen C3 Front Camera Software versions update.02/02/2026 · R/2026/058
- Electronics / software Citroen C3 v5 Autonomous telematics box cannot connect to server19/12/2025 · R/2025/487
- Lights Emission recall – On Board Diagnostics18/08/2025 · R/2025/346
- Fire risk Citroen Fuel Pipe18/07/2025 · R/2025/283
- Engine / loss of power Citroen DV5R Engines Camshaft Chain.03/07/2025 · R/2025/247
- Airbag Citroen C3 Front seat pretentioner wires inverted.09/04/2025 · R/2025/142
- Airbag Citroen C3 DS3 Driver and Passenger Airbag (Takata)07/03/2025 · R/2025/021
The other recalls (23) are listed in the app.
Other generations
Citroën C1 2005–2022Citroën C2 2003–2009Citroën C3 I 2002–2009Citroën C3 II 2009–2016Citroën C3 Aircross 2017–Citroën C3 Picasso 2009–2017Citroën C4 I 2004–2010Citroën C4 II 2010–2018Citroën C4 III 2020–Citroën C4 Cactus 2014–2020Citroën C5 I/II 2001–2008Citroën C5 III 2008–2017Citroën C5 Aircross 2018–
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026