Stellantis Yet Again Recalls Almost 700,000 Vehicles

Just days after the warning was limited to France, the problem has now taken on global proportions. What appeared to be a local problem has turned into a massive operation for the Stellantis group, which advises owners to avoid engine washing. According to the latest information, almost 700,000 hybrid vehicles could be covered by this recall in several markets, including Europe and Serbia. Among them are some of the models of the brands Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia…

The error that led to this recall is now well known. The problem is not directly in the 1.2 hybrid engine itself but in the assembly detail inside the engine compartment. More precisely, there is an insufficient gap between the soot particle filter (GPF) pipe and the protection of the 48V hybrid system. In certain conditions, especially in the presence of moisture, this lack of space can lead to water penetration, writes “Italpassion.fr.”

On the attack, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Lancia

The scenario that follows is the following: an electric arc can occur, causing overheating, and in the most extreme cases, a fire under the hood. Stellantis recorded 36 incidents worldwide, 12 of which resulted in fire. So far, there have been no injuries, which explains the preventive nature of this campaign.

When it comes to Italian brands, several recent models are directly affected by this operation. With the Alfa Romeo brand, we are talking about the new Junior model. As for Fiat, the 600 and Grande Panda models from Kragujevac equipped with the 1.2L hybrid system are also included in the recall. Finally, at the Lancia brand, the all-new Ypsilon model is also affected. All these models share the same 1.2L 48V hybrid powertrain, which explains why they are part of this campaign. More than 211,000 vehicles were affected in France. However, these figures represent only part of the problem: the operation is much wider, with more than 50,000 vehicles in Germany and an estimated total of 700,000 units globally. Among the most threatened models are Peugeot 208 and 2008, Citroen C3 and C4, and Jeep Avenger.

How to check if your vehicle is covered? Stellantis has already started contacting owners by mail, but it is possible to check the status of the vehicle without waiting. The most reliable method is to use the vehicle’s VIN, which is found on the traffic license. Another solution is to contact an authorized dealer or service center directly. Using the vehicle’s license plate, they can check in seconds whether an intervention is needed. What to do while waiting for service? Although the risk is extremely small, certain precautions can be taken. Stellantis states that before any serious incident, there will usually be warning signals.

Replacement in the service is completely free

If the check engine light or electrical system light comes on, stop the vehicle immediately in a safe place. The manufacturer also advises avoiding high-pressure engine washing, as moisture is a factor that worsens the situation. Finally, any unusual smell of heat or burning should be a sign that the vehicle should be parked outdoors as a precaution.

The good news is that the technical solution is simple and quick. The intervention consists of replacing the protective cover of the starter generator with an improved version while checking the distance between the components. The operation lasts about 30 minutes and is completely free. The owners will not incur any costs.

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