Electro-hydraulic power steering pump
usually 100,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Heavy steering, whine, warning
Fix: Replace the pump / relay
€300–800
Common faults, service intervals and costs
DS 3
2009–2019
5
engines covered
24
known faults
103,434
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
33
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The DS 3 was built from 2009 to 2019.
For this generation we cover 5 engines and 24 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Oil consumption: it usually appears at 60,000–150,000 km and costs €200–3,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (25.3 %), suspension (16.0 %), body and corrosion (15.7 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: suspension, steering, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 / 1.6 VTi (EP3 / EP6, also MINI N12 / N16) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · PSA B71 2290 / BMW LL-04 · ~4.25 L · every 10,000 km |
| 1.6 THP (EP6 turbo, also MINI Cooper S) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · PSA B71 2290 / BMW LL-04 · ~4.25 L · every 10,000 km |
| 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 HDi / TDCi / e-HDi (DV6, 8v / 16v) | Diesel | Belt · 150,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 · PSA B71 2290 / Ford WSS-M2C913-C · ~3.75 L · every 15,000 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 |
Faults typical of this model
Front suspension (top mounts, drop links)
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Knocks over bumps
Fix: Replace parts
€100–300
Brake light switch / BSI electrics
usually 80,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Warning lights, cruise control off
Fix: Replace switch; BSI update
€30–300
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
1.4 / 1.6 VTi (EP3 / EP6, also MINI N12 / N16)
Timing chain stretch
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle on cold start, timing codes
Fix: Replace chain, tensioner and guides
€600–1,200
Valve stem seals — oil consumption
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Blue smoke on start, oil use
Fix: Replace valve stem seals
€500–1,100
Water pump / thermostat housing leak
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant loss
Fix: Replace pump / housing
€200–500
Valvetronic (VVL) motor
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle, engine light
Fix: Replace motor
€300–700
1.6 THP (EP6 turbo, also MINI Cooper S)
Timing chain stretch
usually 80,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle on cold start
Fix: Replace chain kit
€700–1,400
Carbon build-up / HP fuel pump
usually 80,000–150,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfires, hesitation
Fix: Clean valves, replace pump
€300–900
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 HDi / TDCi / e-HDi (DV6, 8v / 16v)
Turbo failure (oil starvation, 16v)
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2004–2011 only
Signs: Whistle, blue smoke, oil loss — carbon blocks the oil feed filter
Fix: Replace turbo, oil feed pipe with filter, clean the sump
€700–1,600
Injector copper seal leak → carbon build-up
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Ticking, diesel / soot smell, carbon around injectors
Fix: Replace seals early; remove carbon
€200–900
DPF additive (Eolys) / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: 'Additive level low' / DPF warning
Fix: Refill additive, clean or replace DPF
€150–1,200
EGR valve / cooler
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode, power loss
Fix: Clean or replace
€200–600
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
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
ETG / EGS / BMP / SensoDrive (automated)
Clutch actuator / hydraulic unit
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Won't select a gear, 'gearbox fault', jerky shifts
Fix: Repair or replace the actuator; clutch re-learn
€500–1,500
Clutch wear (automated)
usually 80,000–150,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, harsh engagement
Fix: Replace clutch + re-learn
€500–1,000
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
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 1.4 / 1.6 VTi (EP3 / EP6, also MINI N12 / N16) 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 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| 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: 103,434 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 2.7 % | 5.5 % | 8.0 % | 10.3 % | 11.0 % | 12.1 % |
| Suspension | 3.3 % | 10.2 % | 16.0 % | 19.7 % | 21.0 % | 21.5 % |
| Steering | 0.2 % | 2.7 % | 7.1 % | 9.7 % | 10.0 % | 10.0 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.2 % | 7.4 % | 10.1 % | 11.4 % | 12.2 % | 13.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 10.5 % | 17.0 % | 25.3 % | 30.2 % | 33.7 % | 34.8 % |
| Body and corrosion | 5.3 % | 11.2 % | 15.7 % | 17.6 % | 17.1 % | 17.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.8 % | 2.9 % | 5.5 % | 5.5 % | 6.5 % | 6.8 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (33). 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.
- Airbag Citroen C3 DS3 Driver and Passenger Airbag (Takata)07/03/2025 · R/2025/021
- Airbag Citroen C3 DS3 Driver and Passenger Airbag (Takata)10/12/2024 · R/2025/022
- Brakes / ABS / ESP On the affected vehicles the operation of the brake vacuum pump may be affected by material detaching from the timing belt caused by the ageing of the engine oil.13/12/2022 · R/2023/036
- Brakes / ABS / ESP On the affected vehicles the operation of the brake vacuum pump may be affected by material detaching from the timing belt caused by the ageing of the engine oil.13/12/2022 · R/2023/046
- Brakes / ABS / ESP The operation of the brake vacumn pump may be affected due to material detaching from the timing belt23/06/2021 · R/2021/238
- Brakes / ABS / ESP The brake vacuum pump may be affected by material detaching from the timing belt20/01/2021 · R/2020/327
- Airbag Front air bag igniters may not deploy correctly17/09/2020 · R/2019/339
- Fuel system Posible seepage of fuel from fuel tank23/10/2019 · R/2019/357
The other recalls (25) are listed in the app.
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