2003 Citroen C3 Sensodrive 1.6 petrol from Malaysia

Summary:

Nice to drive, proud to own, only too many frequent visit to the dealer for problem solving

Faults:

First 5000km, steering column locking ring drop off, hindering movement of steering wheel while driving.

First 15000km, reverse switch faulty, reverse light and sensor will not work because of that. CD changer has few CD stuck in it and it refuse to work except keep blinking its light.

First 30000km, top engine mounting faulty. Car was recalled for Sensodrive program update and change of ECU rubber seal.

Sensodrive Actuator start giving springy nice when shifting of gear. Dealer tested it on another C3, same noise, concluded that moving part will eventually have it.

From new til now, oil level indicator still randomly giving fault. Replace sensor during first 5000km, but did not help. Dealer say as long as the real oil level from dipstick shows OK and the oil pressure indicator did not light up, the car is safe to drive.

General Comments:

Nice to drive, but Sensodrive gear shift pattern are not smooth. Parking brake is a must while waiting at a traffic light uphill, step on the gas before releasing the parking brake or risk backing on to the rear car.

From 40000km onward, engine is rough, noisy, and all sort of noise from the car interior.

Design is nice and attractive, that's about it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th January, 2005

2003 Citroen C3 Exclusive 1.4 Hdi 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A neat little number!

Faults:

Various clonks from front suspension.

Misted up nearside headlight.

Worn driver's side windscreen wiper (from delivery)

General Comments:

A nippy and endearing little car.

Comfortable to drive even over long distances!

More standard kit than you can shake a stick at.

If you compare the equipment tally with a Volkswagen (Polo/Golf) you will see what I mean!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th November, 2004

2003 Citroen C3 Desire 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Don't Touch It!!

Faults:

Power Steering keeps cutting out and tripping the speedometer (5 times so far)

Central locking keeps failing causing Immoblizer to stop engine turning over.

Scrath on door when collected from dealers

Engine Management Light keeps coming on for no reason (Spent three days in garage then collected, did 17 miles and came back on!) 2 hours later.

CD Player makes funny noise similar to alarm ringing?

Car keeps miss-firing.

General Comments:

As I'm a Driving Instructor I need a reliable car, the Sales and Service Department appeared to show interest in resolving the problems. Unfortunately they now know me by first name terms and show little enthusiasm in re-building my confidence as the complaint's are still happening almost every other day.

Thank god for Citroen assist the Car Recovery Unit as I can rely on them to collect me when she fails.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th August, 2004

10th Dec 2004, 03:16

My wife who is also a driving instructor also has a C3 with the same problems as this.

The Power steering and Speedo can be forced to fail by holding the car on the clutch with the handbrake applied, as a student would do on a slope at a T junction.

The engine mis fires and sounds as though it is hunting for an appropriate idling speed which makes the car stall when pulling away.

My wife's car has gone back under warranty several times and all they do is replace the same speed sensor which doesn't cure the fault, the garage are very condescending to my wife when she queries their engineering expertise. I don't think that they take into account that she spends most of her life in her car and will know it a little more intimately than their mechanic. We are not impressed with the Citroen after sales or their engineering knowledge. I do not believe that they have a genuine mechanic who can fault find without the aid of a diagnostic computer.

19th Dec 2004, 05:20

Console moves each time I change gear, so it sounds like I am driving a van!

The brakes squeal when the car has been on the move for 5 minutes or more.

On the whole I have enjoyed driving my C3 until this started. I am going back to the garage tomorrow and hope it will be sorted out. The garage have changed the console once so I will have to wait to find out what they have to say this time.

I have had many Citroen cars over the years and have always found them reliable and fun to drive.