2001 Citroen C5 SX from UK and Ireland - Comments

External Temperature Sensor.

Antipollution fault.

ESP / ASR Fault.

Airbag Fault.

Overspeed Control Fault.

Dashboard momentarily 'died'

This car has a first class engine, but the supporting electronics do not do it justice.

This could be a great car.

There does not appear to be a wealth of expertise available to resolve the persistent electrical faults.

When running well the car is responsive, extremely comfortable and a joy to drive.

When the (intermittent) ESP / ASR fault occurs, the performance and power is the car is removed.

I’m sorry to hear about all the problems you have had with your C5. This is our 4th Citroen and we have enjoyed them all.

I was sorry to see our Zantia go because it just went on and on. I know people who have had much more expensive makes of car and have had nothing, but trouble.

I recently looked at the specification on a C class Merc and found almost the same spec on my C5 at a much lower cost.

My 1997 2.0L xantia behaved like a hairy goat and I was lucky and glad to get rid of it when I did.Warning, warning, warning - avoid Citroens.

Sorry, but I disagree with you there. We have always have had a Citroen, and yes some are more trouble than others, but I will always have a Citroen. We have had an AX, BX, CX, Visa, XM, Xantia, and GS. We drive a C5 now, and a Citroen Dispatch van.

Could anyone tell me if they've had any problems with their C5 gearbox? I have a 2002 C5 diesel.

Thank you.

No we haven't any gearbox problems with the C5 but we have an anti-pollution fault.

"Alive with technology". Hehehe.I've been looking at this site for several months now and there seems to be a common theme emerging... The more complex the electronics and managment systems on a car, the less reliable it's going to be. Some of the most reliable cars I've owned have been over 15 years old with a minimum of onboard gadgets... simple to repair and they don't need plugging into an overpriced dealers computer for a software upgrade!Can you imagine the cost of maintaining one of these computers on wheels in 10 years?That's if you can still get parts as chances are they will have become obsolete!Cars are going the same way as televisions and mobilephones etc.I'm not a Luddite, but am just a smidge concerned about how the manufacturers are allowing their technology to be tested by their customers. I'll stick to my oldies I reckon! Thanks.

Well, I got my third Citroen (had 2 Xsaras now a C5 HDi) and sorry to say that this is my last Citroen. The build quality is deteriorating from version to version because more and more electronical "gimmicks" are put together as carelessly as ever. Thus, you never know what's coming to you the next day and the service people are only keen to rip you off on replacement parts you don't need (because the replacement doesn't solve the problems). What annoys me most is the fact that these could be really nice cars given the right build quality, after all, the far more reliable Japanese cars are being built with the same electronics, and this shows it's the assembly that makes all the difference. Putting it simply, Japan still has work ethics and the EU just trade unions :- (

I have a C5 LX Estate (2002), and it is starting to become a nightmare with electronics... all intermittent. e.g. boot lid opening on selecting reverse gear, stalk controls working one day and not the next, and the latest, the battery pretending to be flat and shutting everything down overnight - when on doing a jump start everything is fine again.

The gear box is starting to play up, especially coming out of fifth.

I have had three Citroens and it has always been a love hate relationship. Why can't such good cars be finished fully, and not be so expensive to fix?

I have a C5 sx estate, 2 ltr diesel, which has suddenly developed these faults over the last few days, it appeared as if the battery was run down to start with, but did start until today when it appeared the battery was flat, but on checking, all the light worked, and other electrics, still don't know what it is, tried check of battery, seemed OK, disconected it, then on reconection, no electrics worked,???. Then economy came up on screen. will have to go to dealer to put it on computer test I expect, but will try a jump start first.

Got my c5 sx sorted, it was the starter motor, jump start and OK, New starter motor from citroen supplier, £270.15p + vat, new starter from unipart, £79. 20p + vat, Why???

I do agree with one who mentioned EU electrics VS Japanese. I have owned a Toyota and a Nissan. Latter I bought a C5 which I can honestly tell you was a big dissapointment. Electronics problems!!! always electronics problems. After consulting with some friends I sold the C5 immediately and bought a 3yr year Avensis. The Avensis just drives, no electronics problems, no problem whatsoever. I think these citroens, peugeots have big problems. please continue to share...

Have a Citroen C5, a 2002 2.2 diesel. Real trouble.

Engine is great. The electronics poor.

Windows came down automatically when it started to rain.

Instrument cluster was replaced when the speedometer stopped working and also the small central panel.

Boot lid jammed and cannot open it.

Connection to turbo broken off. Fuel gage totally inaccurate.

A heap of rubbish, and it's only done 67K.

A top of the range Exclusive, and considering it cost over a £1000 in repairs last year, I am frightened to take it back to Citroen...

Hi

Interesting to see how many C5's have electronic problems.

My C5 has an intermittent fault in the CDI unit that manages the Navigation,the radio and CD and the colour display in the centre console.

I took it to the local dealer who had the car for 5 days then told me "yes there is a fault,but we haven't got the equipment to diagnose it. That will be £400 plus vat please."

After a rather heated and physical discusion they accepted £100 for using the diagnostic equipment they had got.

So when the fault shows up I can't change the radio but the CDI does it randomly, and I can't use any of the display facilities, so its got to go and I am buying Japanese.

Citroen are the best advertisement for buying Japanese. I have a C5 now and it is nothing but trouble on the electrics. Pity it's a nice car destroyed by very bad manufacturing. This is my 7th Citroen and the worst yet. I am going back to buying Mercedes or Toyota.

Sorry Citroen, I like your cars but the quality I can't live with.

Nice to know I'm not alone.

I have a 2004 C5 2.0 VTR estate, and so far it's cost me a fortune. Just coming up to 50k on the clock and I've had 3 sets of brake disc's. Citroen want around £400 to fix each time.

Charged £55 to change a fuse in the engine management system, 2nd time it went I was away so road side assistance did it for about 20p cost of new fuse.

I now have problem with front windows; passenger one only closes from the driver's controls if you keep your finger on control (works fine from passenger door control), and driver's window keeps opening when trying to close (can take up to 10 goes before it shuts). Have learnt to live with these faults as Citroen will fleece me for repairs.

And biggest problem I now have is a rear door won't open, but the rear window will (looks like another trip to empty my savings account).

My first C5 was no problem at all in the 18 months I had it; this one seems jinxed.

Suffice to say, you can bet your bottom dollar my next won't be a Citroen.