Drivers in France promised compensation over AdBlue software error
The Stellantis group says it will pay the cost of repairs for affected owners of certain Citroën, DS, Opel and Peugeot cars
Affected cars sold by Stellantis would not start due to a software issue with AdBlue detection
HJBC/Shutterstock
Drivers in France and other EU countries who have had a software bug related to AdBlue in their Citroën, DS, Opel and Peugeot cars are to be reimbursed for the cost of repairs.
The Stellantis group, which owns these car brands, announced that it will cover repair costs under pressure from consumer protection groups. It has already stated that it would cover the costs of Italian customer repairs.
The organisation UFC Que-Choisir in particular led the pressure from France, receiving over 7,000 complaints from French drivers.
Read more: Cars and driving: What's new in France in 2025
AdBlue is a blue liquid that is injected into the exhaust system, reducing the levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emitted from the exhaust system by up to 90%, therefore reducing the pollution caused by diesel engines. It has been compulsory since 2019 but was used in some models before then.
If the car uses AdBlue, it must have a sufficient amount in order for the car to start and function properly. However, a software bug led to wrong estimations, meaning the car reacted as if there was no AdBlue when there was, and would stop the vehicle from starting.
The cars affected are from the brands Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Opel manufactured between January 2014 and August 2020.
Repair costs for the issue were very costly.
An investigation by the Italian competition authority (AGCM) in September 2023 into the issue found that Stellantis was responsible for compensation payments.
Stellantis has announced that the cost of parts will be reimbursed depending on age and mileage of the vehicle, a sum of €30 to cover a portion of the labour costs, and full reimbursement for repairs for vehicles suffering repeated breakdowns.
Read more: Peugeot hit by cyberattack in France with clients’ personal data stolen
A platform will open in mid-January here, where you will be able to submit a request for reimbursement.
This announcement puts an end to “an unacceptable inequity. It made no sense for French consumers to be treated worse than their Italian counterparts when faced with the same problem,” said Marie-Amandine Stévenin, president of UFC Que-Choisir.
