PureTech engine scandal also affects Luxembourg car owners

Dorothée F., who bought her Peugeot 208 in 2016, is among those impacted. Her car began consuming excessive oil—up to a litre every 600 kilometres.

In 2021, after only 63,000 kilometers, the timing belt needed replacement. Although Stellantis offered a free belt replacement, a Peugeot garage in Leudelange refused to perform the service due to a missed maintenance record.

Despite proving her car's service history with stamps from another Peugeot dealership, the issue persisted until another garage in Bissen agreed to replace the belt.

However, the car continued to consume too much oil, forcing Dorothée to buy a new car. She now worries about the resale value of her Peugeot, a concern shared by many affected owners.

Reduced size but increased risk

The 1.2 PureTech engine, designed to meet European (EURO 6) standards and reduce emissions, was part of Peugeot's strategy to downsize engines while maintaining high performance.

© Stellantis

Manufactured at the Trémery factory in the Moselle region, this engine was used in several models, including the Peugeot 208, 308, 2008, and 3008, the Citroën C3, C4, C4 Cactus, and C4 Picasso, as well as the DS3 and DS4.

Ironically, the 1.2 PureTech engine won “Best Engine of the Year” four times between 2015 and 2018 before its design flaws became evident.

The main issue stems from the use of rubber timing belts immersed in engine oil, which, while improving performance, compromised reliability. Premature wear of these belts leads to rubber fragments contaminating the oil, causing a range of issues from excessive oil consumption to complete engine failure.

Contaminated oil affects lubrication, potentially damaging engine parts and leading to costly repairs or engine destruction. In severe cases, belt degradation can impair the vehicle’s braking system.

Angry customers and recall

Sébastien Czerniak, another PureTech victim, bought a new Peugeot 308 in 2015. After 120,000 kilometres, he experienced excessive oil consumption, which eventually led to engine failure. Despite meticulous maintenance, his car broke down.

In response, Sébastien created a Facebook page that now has over 33,000 members sharing similar experiences of oil overconsumption, power loss, engine lights, braking problems, and engine failures.

© Capture d'écran Facebook

In November 2020, and again in December 2022, Stellantis issued recalls for the affected vehicles. The company extended the warranty from 6 to 10 years and increased the coverage from 100,000 to 150,000 kilometres. Stellantis offers case-by-case support, but many owners still face significant out-of-pocket expenses.

© Stellantis

In response, many affected owners have pursued collective action. Lawyer Christophe Lèguevaques, known for representing clients in Renault's "Motorgate," is representing 4,800 clients seeking serious support or preparing for legal action against Stellantis. However, negotiations have stalled, with Stellantis’s lawyers showing little progress toward a resolution.

Legal Battle Looms

Lawyer Lèguevaques had set a deadline until the end of June to negotiate with Stellantis, but the talks have reached an impasse. Stellantis's lawyers have informed the class action representative that the company will not compensate the plaintiffs. Consequently, legal proceedings seem inevitable as the next step to force Stellantis to comply.

This situation further tarnishes the image of the Franco-Italian manufacturer, already dealing with defective airbags. Over 600,000 Citroën C3 and DS3 vehicles are being recalled due to potential defects in airbags supplied by the now-bankrupt Takata. Stellantis has advised its customers not to use their vehicles until repairs are made.

Adding to the pressure, UFC-Que Choisir has put Stellantis on notice, demanding "concrete solutions" for affected customers and denouncing the "negligence" displayed by the automobile giant so far.