2001 Citroen C5 SX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Fuel Unit. The fuel unit reported that there was fuel in the tank - when there was not. It was replaced after the car has done 70 miles from new.

Air Conditioning. The air con exploded whilst under load. I waited 14 weeks for a replacement valve. the car was still under 1 month old.

Suspension. I detected knocks and rattles from the rear of the car. The dealer replaced the rear spheres and added weights to the back of the car. The dealer however fitted faulty spheres and two weeks after the first replacement another set were fitted.

Steering. Steering column was replaced due to connection fault.

Electrics. The new Citroen multiplexor system failed. This resulted in the radio playing by itself. the CD player doing its own thing - and the trip computer reporting I was getting 9999 mpg.

Indicators. Unit failed to cancel after cornering.

Towbar. Dealer fitted towbar came loose whilst I was towing.

Headlights. Dim and flicker at night.

The overall concept of this car is good. Performance is nice - just let down by poor reliability.

I agree with the problem with headlights, I have mentioned it to the service people and they assure me that it is normal,, is it?

The headlamp flickering happens when the hydraulic pump kicks in, usually occurs when accelerating from the lower gears up hill.

I've had a C5 for 6 months. The car is just over 2 years old. In the 6 months I've had the following; (a) driver door c/ locking failed (b) rear door c/ locking failed (c) driver electric window failed (d) passenger electric window failed (e) engine management warning light came on for two days and then went back off. My previous most unreliable car was my 1989 Montego. I thought that days spent back and forth to garages with dodgy motors had long gone for me. Apparently not!

C5 2.2 HDI Exclusive, 2002 model. Lovely M way cruiser, but numerous problems... are you ready for all this? knocking rear suspension despite upgrades, bizarre bleepings and warnings from computer, replaced steering column part (loose, rattling steering was the symptom, now it's happening again), squealing brakes, automatic headlamps switched themselves off once at night while driving on M way, electric windows failed to close, cruise control failed, loose drivers seat, metal trim on gear knob flaking off, squealing wipers, misbehaving radio (volume has mind of its own), erratic central locking, rear screen rubber perished and fell out. Have written to Citroen UK demanding replacement vehicle. The faults suggest a car that was released onto the market underdeveloped and put together with sub-standard components.

Had my c5 2.0sx for four years and covered nearly 50,000 miles. Faults are two failed speedos, failed air mass meter, failed alternator. The rear doors sometimes fail to open and on one occasion the car just wouldn't start... no electrics.It eats front tyres, has noisy wipers and the airbag warning and coolant temp. lights give false warnings. The rubber coating peels off the interior handles and the suspension is noisy. It is very comfortable and economical, however my next car will not be a Citroen.