Citroën ë-C3
Stellantis electric motor with 83 kW peak power and 44 kWh battery in the ë-C3. Up to 320 km WLTP range on the Smart Car platform. Affordable entry into electric mobility; no heat pump as standard.
Electric city car for everyone
The ë-C3 is Citroën's most affordable EV with 113 hp. Nimble in the city, quiet, and with the typical Citroën ride — a genuine democratiser of electric mobility.
Engine Weaknesses 6
The ë-C3 achieves 200–250 km in real-world use instead of the brochure's 320 km. The missing heat pump significantly increases energy demand from the main battery in winter.
Symptoms: Range display fluctuates significantly in cold weather, actual range well below stated figure.
The ë-Berlingo and ë-C4 with 83 kW motor and no active battery heating lose up to 40% range in winter. The missing heat pump amplifies the effect as the heater draws directly from the battery.
Symptoms: Displayed range drops to 160–180 km in winter instead of 280 km (rated), heavy consumption increase to over 20 kWh/100 km at temperatures below 0°C.
In the ë-Berlingo (e-CMP platform) the 12V auxiliary battery discharges during extended standby because control units do not switch off. The vehicle is often no longer driveable after 6+ weeks of inactivity. The high-voltage system only charges the 12V battery when actively driving.
Symptoms: Vehicle won't start after extended standby, all warnings active, charging not possible as charge flap is not released. Immediately functional again after jump-start with booster cable.
The ë-C3 does not support three-phase AC charging; maximum 7.4 kW single-phase. A full charge therefore takes approximately 6–7 hours. DC rapid charging is limited to 100 kW.
Symptoms: Long charging times at public AC stations, no fast charging at Type 2 stations possible.
Problems with the charge flap (sticking, not opening, or not releasing) and contact issues at the charge socket have been documented on the ë-Berlingo. A recall for affected 2022 model year vehicles due to a battery control unit configuration error.
Symptoms: Charging not possible, charge flap sends no release signal, fault message at the charging station, occasional loss of drive readiness due to faulty BMS signal.
The ë-Berlingo and ë-C4 on the e-CMP platform cannot receive over-the-air updates. Known software bugs (charge scheduling, range display, app connection) persist permanently without a dealership visit.
Symptoms: App functions such as climate pre-conditioning and charge scheduling do not work or work sporadically, range display implausible, unwanted alarm activation.
Vehicle Weaknesses 5
Vehicles up to 2003 are particularly prone to front axle spring breakages due to inadequate corrosion protection. Later build years also show elevated spring wear. ADAC frequently flags springs and dampers at the MOT.
After five years the C3 I fails the MOT above average for worn ball joints and steering joints. The joints wear early and need regular inspection.
Squealing brakes are a constant on the C3 I in everyday use. Brake discs and pads wear above average and frustrate many owners. MOT testers regularly flag brake efficiency.
All build years show excessively frequent MOT rejections for misadjusted headlights, defective tail lights and problems with indicators and hazard warning lights. Models up to November 2003 also had software bugs in the lighting ECU that caused a total lighting shutdown.
Battery life on the C3 I is below average, especially under predominantly short-trip use. As small cars are typically driven less, this problem appears more frequently than in the class average.
