Citroën C3, C3 Picasso, DS3 Recall R/2011/120: Engine May Cut Out, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 2 Sep 2011
- Launched
- 9,175
- vehicles in the UK
- MLY
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Citroën recalled C3, C3 Picasso, DS3 vehicles built between 7 January 2011 and 23 May 2011. The battery earth return cable maybe too short which during vehicle operation may cause it to fail at its gearbox mounting point. The dealer will replace the battery earth return cable. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The battery earth return cable maybe too short which during vehicle operation may cause it to fail at its gearbox mounting point. This could result in the engine cutting out.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: ENGINE MAY CUT OUT Defect: The battery earth return cable maybe too short which during vehicle operation may cause it to fail at its gearbox mounting point. This could result in the engine cutting out. Remedy: Recall all affected vehicle and replace the battery earth return cable.
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 it to fail at its gearbox mounting point.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the battery earth return cable.
Are You Affected?
C3, C3 Picasso, DS3 built between 7 January 2011 and 23 May 2011 may be included. Citroën estimates 9,175 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 campaign code MLY or the DVSA reference R/2011/120. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3, C3 AircrossAlarm triggered randomly: BCM software | Low | R/2026/122 | |
| C3, C3 Aircross, C4, C4XAlternator protection | Urgent | R/2026/073 | |
| C3Citroen C3 v5 Autonomous telematics box cannot connect to server | Low | R/2025/487 | |
| C3, C3 AircrossCitroen C3 C3 Aircross brake pedal bracket connection | Urgent | R/2025/514 | |
| Berlingo, C3, C3 Aircross, C4 and 5 moreOn board diagnostics | Low | R/2025/346 |
This is one of 414 Citroën recalls in DVSA’s data. The Citroën recall launched before it was R/2011/114 on 31 Aug 2011, for fire may occur. The one launched after it was R/2011/137 on 11 Oct 2011, for airbag may not deploy correctly. You can also see every Citroën recall, all recalls launched in 2011 and loss of power recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2011/120, launched 2 September 2011. 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.