Citroën C5 Recall R/2004/096: Engine May Revert To Back Up Mode.brake Assistance May Reduce, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 7 Jun 2004
- Launched
- 3,562
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2004/096
- DVSA reference
Citroën recalled C5 vehicles built between 1 February 2003 and 31 March 2004. The original ECU software could generate an excessive vibration of the injection butterfly. The recall notice describes the fix as: download new engine ECU software and initialisation of the ECU. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The original ECU software could generate an excessive vibration of the injection butterfly. In very rare cases the butterfly upper stop may fail causing the engine to go to back up mode which may result in a drop of brake assistance efficiency.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: ENGINE MAY REVERT TO BACK UP MODE.BRAKE ASSISTANCE MAY REDUCE Defect: The original ECU software could generate an excessive vibration of the injection butterfly. In very rare cases the butterfly upper stop may fail causing the engine to go to back up mode which may result in a drop of brake assistance efficiency Remedy: Recall affected vehicles and download new engine ECU software and initialisation of the ECU.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause the engine to go to back up mode which may result in a drop of brake assistance efficiency.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: download new engine ECU software and initialisation of the ECU. The fix is a software update, which usually takes under an hour at the dealer.
Are You Affected?
C5 built between 1 February 2003 and 31 March 2004 may be included. Citroën estimates 3,562 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Citroën, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Citroën.
- Book with any franchised Citroën dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/2004/096. See how to get a Citroën recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| C4, C4 Picasso, C5, DS5Engine may overheat | Urgent | R/2018/049 | |
| C4, C5, DS4, DS5Starter supply wire may chafe | Urgent | R/2017/208 | |
| Berlingo, C5, JumpyAirbag may incorrectly deploy | Urgent | R/2016/171 | |
| C4, C4 Picasso, C5, C8 and 3 moreFuel may leak | Urgent | R/2015/243 | |
| C5Fuel may leak onto engine | Urgent | R/2013/108 |
This is one of 414 Citroën recalls in DVSA’s data. The Citroën recall launched before it was R/2004/072 on 17 May 2004, for possible contact between the left hand rear splash shield and the brake hose. The one launched after it was R/2004/169 on 21 Sep 2004, for the brake hose may chafe and leak. You can also see every Citroën recall, all recalls launched in 2004 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2004/096, launched 7 June 2004. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.