Stellantis Recall Due to Fire Risk: 700,000 Cars Affected – What You Need to Know
If you’ve recently received a letter from your car dealer, or you’re nervously checking the mail, you’re not alone. Right now, Stellantis is in the middle of one of the biggest recalls this year. Nearly 700,000 vehicles need to go back to the workshop – and the reason is as serious as it gets: fire risk. I’ve looked into it myself because it affects me personally, and I’ll tell you what really matters.
So, what’s causing the fire risk?
It’s about the petrol engines, specifically the 1.2-litre PureTech three-cylinder. It feels like every second car from Stellantis has one. The issue is the high-pressure fuel pump. Under certain conditions, it can start leaking. And if petrol drips onto hot engine parts… well, you can guess how that ends. Reports of engine fires from the community have been piling up, and now the manufacturer has finally responded. Experts and regulators have been looking into this for a while – and rightly so.
Which brands and models are affected?
A whole range of models from 2018 to 2022 are affected. So if you drive one of these, keep an eye on your mailbox. Here are the main ones:
- Peugeot – 208, 2008, 308, 3008, 5008
- Citroën – C3, C3 Aircross, C4, C4 Cactus
- Opel – Crossland, Mokka, Grandland
- Fiat – 500X, Tipo
- DS Automobiles – DS 3 Crossback
In New Zealand, it’s likely to be several thousand vehicles. Globally, it’s nearly 700,000. This isn’t a minor service – it’s a massive operation.
First steps: What you should do (and what you shouldn’t)
I get it: you read "fire risk" and immediately think you can’t even look at your car. It’s not that bad, but there are a few things you should do now. First, if you haven’t received a letter, check your VIN. You can do this at any Stellantis dealer or online on their service portals. Second, don’t go on a thousand-kilometre road trip before getting the work done. The fault seems to show up after extended use or on older pumps, but risk is risk.
The actual fix at the workshop is straightforward. The old high-pressure pump is replaced, and they usually check the timing chain while they’re at it – another ongoing issue with PureTech engines. This is a service recall, so it won’t cost you anything. Even if your warranty has expired, you won’t pay a cent.
A long road ahead
The catch? A recall of this scale takes time. Workshops don’t have 700,000 new pumps sitting on the shelf. Production is ramping up, but it’s going to take a while. Some dealers are prioritising based on risk or contacting customers in stages. If you’re looking for a Stellantis recall fire risk guide, the key takeaway is patience. I called my dealer and booked a specific appointment – that’s the cleanest approach. Don’t settle for "we’ll be in touch."
What if you don’t get the letter?
To be honest, official recalls go through the authorities. But with used cars that change hands often, letters can get lost. So if you’ve just bought your car recently, or you’re unsure if Stellantis has your current details, head to a dealer with your VIN. They can check straight away if your car is on the list. This is one of those things where it’s better to ask once too often.
So where does that leave us? It’s a big blow for Stellantis. Brands like Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat and Opel are everywhere here. The Stellantis recall fire risk review on forums is pretty heated. A lot of people are frustrated that these well-known issues with PureTech engines are only now being tackled on such a large scale. But from a safety perspective, it’s good that it’s happening. Now it’s about taking a practical approach to the how to use Stellantis recall fire risk question – which simply means calling your service centre and booking a time.