Rear axle trailing-arm bearings
usually 100,000–220,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rear wheels lean in at the top, uneven tyre wear, knocking
Fix: Rebuild or replace the rear axle
€300–900
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Citroën Xsara
1997–2006
4
engines covered
16
known faults
15,162
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
5
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Citroën Xsara was built from 1997 to 2006.
For this generation we cover 4 engines and 16 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Injectors / injector seals: it usually appears at 150,000–250,000 km and costs €300–1,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (30.8 %), suspension (19.9 %), body and corrosion (15.6 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: steering, body and corrosion.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 / 1.4 / 1.6 8v & 16v (PSA TU / ET3 / EC5) | Petrol | Belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-40 / 10W-40 · PSA B71 2296 / B71 2300 · ~3.25 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.8 / 2.0 16v (PSA EW7 / EW10) | Petrol | Belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · PSA B71 2296 · ~4.25 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.4 HDi / TDCi (DV4) | Diesel | Belt · 150,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · PSA B71 2290 / B71 2296 · ~3.75 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 HDi / TDCi / BlueHDi (DW10) | Diesel | Belt · 150,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 · PSA B71 2290 / Ford WSS-M2C913-C / 934-B · ~4.25–5.5 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
BSI / electrical faults
usually 100,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Random warnings, wipers / lights act up
Fix: Diagnose, update or repair BSI
€100–500
Faults by engine
1.1 / 1.4 / 1.6 8v & 16v (PSA TU / ET3 / EC5)
Ignition coil pack
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire, flashing engine light
Fix: Replace coil pack
€60–200
Thermostat housing / coolant leaks
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant loss, overheating
Fix: Replace housing / hoses
€80–250
Idle control valve / throttle body
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Hunting idle, stalling
Fix: Clean or replace
€60–200
Head gasket (1.6 16v, overheating)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
engine codes: NFU, NFV, NFZ, NFX, NFS, NFR
Signs: Coolant loss, white smoke
Fix: Replace head gasket
€400–900
1.8 / 2.0 16v (PSA EW7 / EW10)
Ignition coil pack
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire
Fix: Replace coil pack
€100–250
Timing belt tensioner
usually 90,000–120,000 km · High risk
Signs: Belt failure bends valves
Fix: Replace belt kit on time
€300–600
Oil leaks (cam cover)
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Oil drips, burning smell
Fix: Replace gasket
€80–200
1.4 HDi / TDCi (DV4)
Injectors / high-pressure pump (Siemens)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Hard start, smoke
Fix: Test and replace
€400–1,200
Turbo oil feed / seals
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Smoke, oil use
Fix: Service the turbo
€400–900
EGR valve
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle
Fix: Clean
€100–300
2.0 HDi / TDCi / BlueHDi (DW10)
Injectors / injector seals
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Smoke, knocking, hard start
Fix: Replace seals / injectors
€300–1,500
EGR valve / swirl flap actuator
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€200–700
Turbo actuator / vanes
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Overboost / underboost
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,000
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
AL4 / AT8 (4-speed automatic)
AL4 solenoids / pressure regulator
usually 80,000–180,000 km · High risk
Signs: Gearbox warning, stuck in 3rd, harsh shifts
Fix: Replace solenoids / pressure sensor; fluid change
€300–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.1 / 1.4 / 1.6 8v & 16v (PSA TU / ET3 / EC5) 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 15,000 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 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 120,000 km or every 60 months | €450–900 |
| 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: 15,162 tests.
| thousand km | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 8.7 % | 10.1 % | 12.6 % | 13.8 % | 17.3 % |
| Suspension | 11.0 % | 16.3 % | 19.9 % | 21.6 % | 24.8 % |
| Steering | 3.3 % | 4.7 % | 6.6 % | 7.8 % | 11.5 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 6.5 % | 7.3 % | 8.6 % | 9.9 % | 9.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 20.2 % | 26.0 % | 30.8 % | 34.9 % | 34.8 % |
| Body and corrosion | 9.6 % | 12.3 % | 15.6 % | 17.3 % | 18.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 4.4 % | 5.2 % | 6.6 % | 8.6 % | 10.0 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (5). 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.
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Brake servo vacuum pipe may detach23/06/2003 · R/2003/103
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Potential loss of brake vacuum assistance20/11/2000 · R/2000/121
- Suspension / axles Suspension ball joint may disengage25/09/2000 · R/2000/100
- Airbag The passenger air bag might remain active when the deactivate mode has been selected12/04/2000 · R/2000/040
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Possibility of loss of brake servo assistance01/02/2000 · R/2000/005
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