Citroën C3 Aircross
Stronger turbo variant of the PSA three-cylinder. Same wet belt issue as the EB2-DT in production years before 2019. Punchy mid-range, good compromise between performance and consumption.
Agile mini-SUV with economical punch
The PureTech 130 gives the C3 Aircross more dynamism than its gentle appearance suggests, with 9.3 seconds to 100 km/h and 200 km/h top speed. The softly tuned suspension and low vehicle weight make it more agile than its predecessor; reviewers describe genuine driving pleasure. Real-world consumption of around 5.8 l/100 km suits the relaxed Citroën character.
Engine Weaknesses 6
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; engine can consume up to 3 l/1,000 km. Stellantis offers extended goodwill up to 175,000 km for build years before 2022.
Symptoms: Elevated oil consumption, blue smoke on throttle, frequent oil checks needed
Higher boost levels increase thermal stress; fuel-diluted engine oil reduces lubricity and damages the turbo journal bearings. Warning signs are often not detectable in advance.
Symptoms: Whistling or rattling turbo noise, bluish exhaust smoke, power drop
The EB2-DTS 1.2 Turbo 130 shares with all EB2 engines the problem of crankshaft bearing end-float wear. Excessive axial play causes the timing belt to shift sideways and increases the risk of belt failure.
Symptoms: Axial clicking on throttle changes, oil pressure warning, belt debris visible in oil, in extreme cases sudden belt failure
Like all turbocharged EB2 variants, the EB2-DTS 130 is prone to fuel contamination of engine oil during short-trip operation. The consequences are timing belt damage, bearing wear, and oil pump problems.
Symptoms: Petrol smell in oil, oil level rises above maximum, thin oil, occasional oil pressure warning
EB2-DTS engines were fitted with vacuum pumps containing manufacturing defects. Faulty pumps can lead to insufficient brake servo supply. Stellantis treated approximately 370,000 vehicles with turbocharged EB2 engines (March 2013 – April 2017) with a pump replacement.
Symptoms: Firmer brake pedal feel, delayed brake system response, reduced brake assist, occasional brake system warning messages
Vehicle Weaknesses 4
Axle springs and dampers show up to twelve times the average rejection rate at the first MOT on the C3 Aircross. This is the most striking weak point of the vehicle.
Brake disc wear is unusually high already at the first MOT. Frequent stop-start use or sporty driving makes the problem considerably worse.
All build years show above-average rates of misadjusted headlights and defective front and rear lights and indicators at the MOT. The fault rate for tail lights is three times higher than average.
Older C3 Aircross models show exhaust system rust that causes increasing MOT problems with age. Underfloor oil loss is also flagged by MOT testers more frequently.
