Citroën C3
Turbocharged variant of the PSA three-cylinder with an oil-bathed timing belt. The belt runs in engine oil and can delaminate prematurely on short trips with long oil change intervals, blocking the oil passages. Stellantis granted an extended warranty of 10 years/175,000 km for affected production years in 2024.
Middle PureTech
101 hp in the C3 — good compromise between the 83 hp naturally aspirated and the 110 hp turbo.
Engine Weaknesses 7
Oil-bath timing belt delaminates due to fuel dilution of the oil; stop-start operation of the mild hybrid system adds additional belt stress. Newer Gen 3 engines from 2022 feature a revised design.
Symptoms: Oil pressure warning light, engine noises, power drop, potential engine damage
Oil scraper rings coke up from short-trip use with direct injection. In extreme cases the engine consumes 3 litres per 1,000 km. Stellantis acknowledged the problem and offers goodwill up to 175,000 km.
Symptoms: Significantly elevated oil consumption, blue smoke clouds under acceleration, oil warning light
The turbocharger is sensitive to degraded or fuel-diluted oil. Oil passages clogged by wet-belt particles can destroy the turbo bearings. Frequently a secondary failure following wet-belt problems.
Symptoms: Whistling turbo noise, blue smoke, power loss, oil pressure loss
In the EB2-DT 1.2 Turbo, frequent short-trip operation can cause petrol to enter the engine oil and severely reduce its viscosity. The diluted oil no longer provides adequate lubrication for the turbocharger or the oil-bathed timing belt.
Symptoms: Petrol smell when removing oil cap, oil level rises above maximum, oil of thin consistency, increased consumption due to poor lubrication
In the EB2-DT 1.2 Turbo, overheating events or material fatigue can cause the head gasket to fail. Coolant enters the combustion chamber or the oil. The three-cylinder is particularly susceptible when oil dilution damage is present.
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, coolant level drops without external leakage, mayonnaise residue on oil cap, engine overheating
Direct injection without port fuel wash leads to deposits on the intake valves, made worse by recirculated crankcase gases. Power loss and starting difficulties at higher mileages.
Symptoms: Rough idle, power loss, starting difficulties, increased fuel consumption
The wastegate bearing on the small turbocharger of the EB2-DT 1.2 Turbo shows wear at higher mileages. Typical rattling on load changes is an early sign. The turbocharger must then be reconditioned or replaced.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on load changes, slight power loss, occasional hissing, turbocharger noise at idle
Vehicle Weaknesses 5
Vehicles produced between 04.01. and 22.02.2017 had a production fault in the side airbag that could fail to deploy correctly in an accident. Citroën recalled the affected vehicles for inspection.
Brake discs on the C3 III are rated negatively and need changing significantly more often than the class average. MOT testers flag the brake system above average from the first inspection.
In almost all build years, faulty headlights, tail lights and indicators are flagged at the MOT. The fault rate is well above the class average.
MOT testers flag rusted exhaust systems and oil loss visible on the underfloor check above average. Regular oil level checks are strongly recommended.
Build years 2017–2019 may show elevated NOx emissions due to faulty engine control calibration. Citroën remedied the problem with a software update at the dealer.
