Stellantis, the parent company of Citroën and DS Automobiles, has issued an urgent recall of 351 vehicles registered in Luxembourg with potentially deadly Takata airbags--invoking a rare and severe “Stop Drive” order.

The recall, announced by Luxembourg’s ministry of the economy and the national standards authority Ilnas, applies to certain Citroën C3 and DS3 models still fitted with faulty Takata airbag modules, a defect linked to dozens of fatalities globally. Owners of the affected vehicles are instructed to cease driving them immediately until the airbags are replaced--a measure that underscores the gravity of the risk.

The warning follows an earlier communication in February 2025 that covered 1,118 vehicles in Luxembourg. Whilst most owners responded and had their airbags replaced through authorised garages, 351 vehicles still have the faulty airbag. These now fall under the extended “Stop Drive” directive, first introduced in France and now adopted in Luxembourg.

Takata airbags have long been at the centre of a sprawling global automotive recall affecting tens of millions of vehicles across numerous brands. The defect, linked to the degradation of the airbag’s inflator material over time--particularly in humid conditions--can cause the airbag to explode with excessive force, propelling metal shrapnel into the vehicle cabin.

The extension of the Stop Drive notice to Luxembourg marks an escalation in the Stellantis group’s response, signalling its intent to accelerate lagging repairs. Ilnas has committed to sending a follow-up letter to affected vehicle owners in the coming days with specific instructions on how to proceed.

Drivers can confirm whether their Citroën C3 or DS3 is subject to the recall by checking their vehicle identification number (VIN) online.