Stellantis, the automotive conglomerate behind brands like Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Fiat, is recalling over 44,000 vehicles in the UK due to a potential fire risk related to their 48-volt mild-hybrid systems. This action is part of a larger global recall affecting over 700,000 cars worldwide.
The Issue: Electrical Arcing and Fire Risk
The recall stems from insufficient clearance between the gasoline particulate filter pipe and the belt starter generator (BSG) in vehicles manufactured between 2023 and 2026. Under wet conditions, this close proximity can cause electrical arcing, leading to overheating and, in severe cases, fire. The problem affects a wide range of Stellantis models, including those from Vauxhall, Peugeot, Fiat, Citroen, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, and DS.
What Stellantis is Doing
The company will contact affected owners directly, urging them to schedule a repair appointment with their local dealership. The fix involves replacing the pole, adding extra insulation to the 48-volt system, and ensuring proper clearance between the critical components. Stellantis estimates the repair will take approximately 30 minutes.
No Immediate Stop-Drive Order, But Urgency Advised
While Stellantis has not issued a “stop-drive” order, it strongly encourages customers to get their vehicles inspected and repaired as soon as possible. The group stated that customer safety is their top priority, despite the fact that consumers can theoretically continue driving their cars while waiting for an appointment.
Recurring Engine Issues
This latest recall follows a similar large-scale action in August 2023, which affected over 70,000 non-hybrid vehicles in the UK due to a fuel leakage fire risk. Both incidents point to ongoing challenges with the 1.2-liter PureTech engine family used across multiple Stellantis brands. The repeated issues raise questions about design flaws and quality control within the company’s powertrain development.
This latest recall underscores the increasing complexity of modern vehicle systems, where even small clearance issues can have serious safety consequences.
The company has emphasized customer safety, but the frequency of these incidents raises concerns about the long-term reliability of certain Stellantis models.
