Just a few days after a recall campaign involving 1.5L BlueHDi engines, Stellantis is back in the news with a major operation, this time involving its 1.2L micro-hybrid petrol engine.
Initially revealed by L'Argus, this campaign concerns more than 210,000 vehicles in France, precisely 211,725 units produced between 2023 and 2026. The engine in question is the third-generation 1.2 PureTech three-cylinder (EB2 Gen 3), now widely deployed in the Group's light-hybrid models.
While at first this operation seemed to be limited to the French market, there are now several indications that it extends well beyond.
A technical fault that could lead to overheating
Unlike previous problems with the PureTech, this time the engine is not directly at fault. The defect identified concerns insufficient clearance between two key components: the particulate filter duct and the 48V starter-alternator (BSG) protection cap.
This lack of clearance can lead to friction between parts. Under certain conditions, such as humidity, this can lead to water ingress, arcing and overheating. In the most extreme cases, a fire may even break out.
Stellantis recorded 36 incidents linked to this problem, 12 of which led to a fire in the engine compartment. No injuries were reported, however, which explains the preventive nature of this campaign.
A rapid response with full support
The technical solution is relatively simple. Once the vehicle is in the workshop, the technicians replace the protective cap with an improved model guaranteeing a better seal. They also check the gap between the components and adjust it if necessary. The operation takes around 30 minutes and is fully paid for by the manufacturer. The owners concerned are contacted progressively to schedule an intervention.
A campaign that's already spreading beyond France
But the most interesting information comes from elsewhere. While L'Argus was referring only to France, testimonials from Italy change the picture.
Owners of the new Lancia Ypsilon have reported receiving a notification linked to the F60E recall campaign. This corresponds to precisely the same technical problem: adjustment of the distance between the particulate filter and the 48V hybrid system, with replacement of the protective cap. In Italy, 911 vehicles have already been affected, with models produced between 2024 and 2026. This confirmation suggests that the campaign is in fact European, and not limited to a single country.
A potentially much larger list of models
In France, the list of vehicles concerned is already impressive. It covers almost all models equipped with the 1.2L hybrid 110hp and 145hp engines in the Stellantis group.
These include Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Opel and, above all, Peugeot, which alone accounts for more than half the vehicles concerned.
But if the extension to Italy is confirmed, as already seems to be the case, it is highly likely that all European markets will be affected. This means that the total number of vehicles affected could well exceed the 211,000 units initially announced.
A new blow for the 1.2L engine
This recall comes against an already delicate backdrop for the 1.2 PureTech engine, which has been the subject of a number of controversies in recent years, particularly with older generations. For Stellantis, the challenge now is twofold: to reassure customers of the reliability of this key engine, while effectively managing a recall campaign that could rapidly take on continental proportions.
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I've run out of words...
Italy should subtract the Alfa Romeo brands. Fiat Jeep Abarth Lancia and take back their identities their engines their know-how... let's please leave the French
And what will our cars be worth at resale with this image? Even without Peugeot pepper mills under the hood, people will equate all this with Stellantis... It's a horror.
I couldn't agree more. Stellantis is killing Italian brands (even if Filosa has understood the need to do the exact opposite of what Tavares did).
Stellantis kann keine zuverlässigen Motoren bauen. Ob Diesel, Benzin oder Hybrid - man hört von den Besitzern nur noch Horror Geschichten.
Sind uns die Asiaten wirklich überlegen? Oder haben unsere Ingenieure gegen die Buchhalter verloren?
Jep, und gegen die Designer Hauptsache blink Blink, Ambiente Beleuchtungs scheiss, Sterne im Kühler Himmel in sämtlichen Leuchten, wer will die Designerpfürze🤢
Who wanted to install the PureTech hybrid in all Stellantis brands?
Carlos Tavares, the automotive Scrooge.
Recalls are not rare, but the PureTech accumulates too many problems.
These are all the same car based on peugeot 208 2008. This what happen when you just put different skins on the same product. This mhev vehicle calling it a hybrid is stretching the truth all these 48v system are just normal ice cars
Well, well, well. Well, at least they recall! At one time many didn't do recalls . Even Ferrari released ... and did nothing a series of vehicles that caught fire easily! Kia also had to recall electric cars because of „hot“ batteries...
Totally untrue, because when it happened Ferrari was quick to do what was necessary.
We're not talking about the Porsche rip-offs that screwed the British with their 911 GT3 and its crystal engine.
Stellantis make shit cars, I know, I work for a Vauxhall dealer in the UK, and two out of three phone calls are complaints about one thing or another. Eventually, customers will buy better brands next time and the shitty French unreliable pap will be no more...
Stellantis ist die letzte Scheiße.
So ein Plunder, die können gar nichts, denken aber sie sind die Besten.
Einen Motor mit Zahnriemen im Öl zu bauen obwohl man von Ford schon genau wusste das das NICHT funktioniert und die gravierenden Folgen davon.
Auch die Nachfolgemotoren haben Probleme. Unfassbar!
Es ist das schlechteste was Opel passieren konnte........
Genau, ein Motor für alle Marken und so
entsteht ein Rattenschwanz von
schweren Problemen. Weg mit Tavaris als
CEO, der kassiert Millionen und liefert
nur Schäden ab, zum Schaden aller
MARKEN.
Ist der Grandland auch betroffen.
Mfg.
Dieter Hermes
Oder der Opel Frontera Mild Hybrid?
Wie kann man von den 4 und 6 Zylinder Motoren ablassen und solche miesen 3 Zylinder Motoren in die neue Generation einbauen, dazu noch zu verdichtet.Aber für Regierungsmitglieder dann auf bewährte 12 Zylinder Diesel, weil sehr gut, zurückgreifen. Der dumme Bürger wird schon fressen
The nightmare goes on and then someone comes and tells me that French engines are once again reliable... reliable enough to be scrapped at breakneck speed!
36 cars with a problem out of more than 211,000 sold ... And already a recall to fix the problem!
YES, it's reliable compared to others and compared to the old method of doing nothing for 10 years and sweeping the dust under the carpet.
Scudric, can't you seriously see the difference!????
Well, a fanboy like him can't see straight, that's obvious. You've got to let him get on with it, who cares in the end?
I really want to see the Stellantis brands succeed in the face of the Chinese onslaught, and my C3 hybrid in many ways is a great car, but they do seem to be determined to shoot themselves in the foot. Citroen don't have the best reputation for handling recalls in the UK.