2006 Citroen C5 Exclusive Estate 2.0 HDI (136bhp) from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Great Hi-Tech system, let down by allowing dangerous conditions to happen
Faults:
1. Instability at traffic speeds (about 30mph) ; maybe dead spot on the throttle Pot. Throttle sensor replaced - Seems to have cured the problem.
2. NOTE: A potentially dangerous fault. Driving along at an even speed, the car (computer) suddenly, completely ignores the throttle. Result - you slow down and stop, & if you wait for a minute, the throttle starts working. No fault is shown or registered. If you switch off straight away and restart it is OK immediately. The engine idles through this fault. The Car is 'Fly-by-wire' so the throttle is a sensor potentiometer. Has happened at 6 times in last 6 weeks, at speeds from 30 to 70mph.
3. The mpg shown on the trip computer reads 15% wrongly. i.e. shows 42mpg and really only gets 36mpg. Therefore miles left in the tank will also show (wrongly) 15% more than you've got. I am an Engineer and have checked this MOST accurately over the last 2000 miles. Litre into the tank to miles done.
4. Automatic (auto adaptive 6 speed), takes FAR too long to make its mind up. When launching across a roundabout, it will give little power until about 1 second later.
Sequential manual HAS to be used to avoid a dangerous situation when it's busy.
Car went in (last week) for Fault 1, 2 & 3.
Fixed 1, NOT fixed 2 & 3. Fault 4 seems to be regarded as a 'feature' of this model!! (Is now booked in again).
General Comments:
1. Acceleration, Good.
2. Motorway Cruising, Good.
3. Lighting, Good.
Especially Xenon, Swivel-ling Dips, Bright.
4. Auto 'speed' Intermittent Wipers good - except for Misty days - doesn't work on auto!!
5. Computer 'assisted' braking - comes on too early. You only have to touch the brake a bit too quick and the car will stand on its nose.
5. Seats too hard for an Exclusive.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 8th October, 2007
4th Jan 2010, 07:24
The gearbox issue is confined to the diesels. I suspect that what is happening is that you arrive at the roundabout in 5th or 6th gear, but not come to a stop, so there is a delay before the box changes down to 3rd or 4th. Add to that a bit of turbo lag and you're in trouble.
I have the 3.0 V6 petrol and the same gearbox and haven't got this problem at all. It still arrives at the roundabout in 5th at about 35mph, but a slight touch on the accelerator shoves it into 4th where there is still plenty of power even at low revs to get the car across the island.
I.e. without the turbo lag, it's not an issue. For the diesels, it seems like the gearbox needs to change to 3rd as you slow below 40mph, without waiting for the shove from the accelerator peddle. The only trouble is, that won't do the fuel economy much good at all!
18th Sep 2010, 11:58
The French make some genuinely interesting cars, but you'd think if they were going to persist with loading their cars with electronics, they'd at least take the trouble to make them work properly.
Our old Renault Grand Scenic was mechanically robust, but I can't believe it was allowed onto the market with so many bugs and gremlins in the electrical system. It was appalling.
6th Apr 2014, 04:16
Thought you might all be interested to know that I have a 2013 Citroen C4 1.6 eHdi ESG 6 speed, that has exactly the same hesitant roundabout problem! As it is a semi-auto, when you floor it for a quick getaway, it suddenly appears to go into neutral, before juggling with the gears and setting off like a scalded cat! I have heard this is a common fault on all Citroen diesels and is to do with the programming. Should really have resolved it by now. Maybe the French don't like roundabouts!
In case you're wondering why I am commenting, I am currently looking for a C5 estate for towing and thought I would chuck my ten pence worth in!
15th Sep 2009, 14:56
The gearboxes are great - ZF items - however Citroen's lousy programming is the issue, I suspect if you took the car to an auto gearbox specialist and had the EPROM zapped with the standard ZF software, the 'box would be much better.