2003 Citroen C3 Pluriel from UK and Ireland - Comments

We bought our 1.6 Sensodrive Pluriel in November 2005. We've had 2 recalls (EMS software and accelerator pedal return) plus four other visits to 'reset' the car as it looses it's configuration and locks the boot. The last happened 10 days ago and then again this morning.

The cars great now under warranty, but in 2 years time in a rural garage in France? Non Merci Citroen...

I bought my citroen pluriel in August 04. It has been back to the garage in Southport 3 times because of water leakage through the windows and the boot (excessive, damaging articles of clothing and work files). Each time the garage are apologetic and have said they don't know of any other pluriel owners who have encountered the same problems with leakage. The seats have been replaced once because they were sodden with water and had begun to smell of damp. On the motorway once the car suddenly would do no more than 4 mph for no apparent reason putting myself and other drivers in jeapordy. I would like to know what I can do about compensation. Each time I bring it back to the garage I have to pay for a coursey car. I would urge other owners to keep complaining as something needs to be done to rectify these matters. Rebecca Ormskirk near Southport.

We bought our Pluriel when it very first came out in 03. Since then we have had persistent leaking problems, upholstery staining and other minor irritations.

Our dealership said we were not maintaining the seals well enough because we were not lubricating them with Vaseline each time we took the roof off. They were unhelpful to say the least and basically implied that if we took the roof off, what did we expect?

Most irritating of all - now our warranty is up, we have to pay for each modification to the roof or seal replacement drive in a soaking car. They have totally washed their hands of us.

I want to get rid of it, but unless I spend several hundred pounds on getting it to a fit state I won't be able to sell it. I will also feel guilty off loading a lemon onto somebody else.

Not what I expected from a £15,000 new car!!!

I bought a Pluriel in Sept 2005 (o4 reg) and since have had no end of problems, including leaking from above passenger door and a crack in the boot that when the garage fixed damaged the seal to the boot so that had to be fixed too! When the car was only 2yrs old the shock absorbers went!! Luckily it was all under warranty! Now I have 2 areas of paint 'cracking' and the dealership have told me its caused by bird pooh!!! Haven't heard that before. Told me it isn't covered on paint warranty and needs to go through the body shop. Costing lots of ££! Has anyone else had this problem with the paint? Or with bird pooh? I'd like to hear from you.

Dawn, Southport.

I have a c3 pluriel, 53 plate.

When I'm driving in heavy rain and stop in traffic then whisps of steam come from the bonnet.

My husband has checked the car over. I'm not losing any water so we have no idea where this is coming from.

It's got to the point now where I don't want to drive it.

Has anyone else had this problem?

When I'm driving in heavy rain and stop in traffic then whisps of steam come from the bonnet.

Of course it does. When the engine gets hot, the bonnet will heat up, and so when liquid (the rain) touches it it turns to steam. You'll only notice it when stopped because when moving it will be behind you before it has the chance to rise up in front of you.

If you've ever washed the car after a reasonable length journey, the same thing happens.

Don't worry about it.. Heat from the engine will cause the bonnet to get warm, then cold rain drops will cause the steam. Every car I've ever had does this. If you aint losing coolant then its no problem :-)

I did leave a comment last week, about my wife's Citroen Pluriel roof leak which I claimed to cure. Well, after the serious rainfall we had this week it worked!!!

The problem was water dripping onto the seats from the roof arch fasteners, leaving wet patches and stains. Reading the previous comments this seems to be a common problem with the roof to blame.

With my aeronautical background I don't just look at the obvious, I traced the source to the window seals on the arches, not the roof. The water drips onto what visually seems to be a good seal around the windows, but by capillary attraction seeps between the seal and the arch to its lowest point, then collects and drips through the arch fastener. The cure was simply an application of Vaseline between the seal and arch. I would think a suitable sealant would do the same job. I've got to say this fix certainly worked for me, but it may not be the answer to all the leaking experienced by others. Another thing I have done is coated all the rubber seals with silacon lubricant, to keep them subtle. My wife is happy, that makes me happy and we both love the Pluriel.

PS If this is a cure does saves you ££ by not visiting the dealer, please think of helping others to have the water you don't want. Please make a donation to Water-Aid.

I was driving my C3 Pluriel on motorway at 70 miles when the bonnet came off. I was lucky to join the emergency lane safely, but I`m still in shock. I would like to know if somebody else has had the same experience as me with this kind of car?

I bought a C3 Pluriel last July. As with all the other comments I've had nothing but trouble. My car's had a new back windscreen and a whole new roof and still leaks. The dealer has now gone into administration so I will now take the matter up with Citroen who have been most unhelpful up to now. I would love to just part exchange my car and get rid, but why should Citroen get away with selling such faulty goods, it's obvious there is a design fault, so why will they not recall them!!

If anyone has had any success getting compensation out of citroen, please email me how nat4ben@hotmail.com

Natalie Fenwick

We purchased an 05 (Jan 06) plate C3 sensodrive and have experienced no problems until this week when we lost gear selection on the M1.

On investigation this is due to manufacturing fault with the clutch attenuator. It does not have enough grease inside the unit therefore it over heats (AUTO and snowflake sign flashes) let it cool down and you can be on your way (20 minutes-60 minutes) all parts changed on warranty. Citroen should recall and change this unit... We will be changing the car before the warranty runs out. Shame because I was really quite impressed with the little car!!!

To Natalie fenwick Re compensation from citroen.

I have had my pluriel since oct 2003. It went in to have a leak fixed in the january 2004. since then it has been beck 13 times without success. I have been in touch with trading standards and watchdog and am currently speaking to my car dealer about what they are going to do. I am seeking legal advice on this problem as soon as the dealer gets back to me. I have been offered a part ex for my car, but am still paying for it therefore am unable to take on more re payments. I will keep you informed if you would like to hear about he situation

wendy williams.

I wrote in earlier last year claiming to have solved the roof leak which I found originated between the arch window seal and the arch (sealed with vaseline). Just to let you know - no more leaks!

Well I've had a more serious problem with the roof mechanism not working and now no warranty. So I've used my DIY skills to fix it. First problem -how does it work? I discovered after removing the inner rear window cassette panel, it has a motorised telelflex cable operation (i.e. a flexible drive cable in a conduit operated by a cog) that can be manually operated by using a suitable screwdriver to disengage the motor (by pushing) and then turn the mechanism (there is a small plug in the panel to get to this without removing the panel). The problem I found was the two roof sliders breaking up and the teleflex cables slipping and becoming unequal in length.

What I needed was new LH & RH slider assemblies (£80 for both) from the Citroen dealer. I had to move the roof to its stowed position into the rear window cassette, then disengage the locking mechanism which allows the cassette to be moved to the boot storage position - I did this by removing the side hinge panels and manually moving the locking levers to unlock. I supported the cassette vertically with something like a box, I removed the motor (just 3 bolts) pulled the roof by disconnecting the teleflex when raised about 5cm. I replaced the slider parts, made sure the teleflex was equal length both sides (by removing the operating cog under the motor by lifting the conduits. I replaced the roof sliders (not easy!, then reassembled. Phew! it took a day, and that's with some aircraft fixing experience. I lubricated the sliders with trusty vaseline, which I recommend should be done periodically to keep it working smoothly.

I bought my C3 Pluriel in 03. BIG MISTAKE. My first car from new - and been back over 20 times to Citroen! I had all the leaky roof issues and recalls, but more dangerously, shortly after purchasing it my engine light started coming on and the car intermittently cuts out. It completely loses power - dangerous and not good in heavy traffic! Citroen kept resetting it and after several "near misses" it was fine - for a while. Then, a couple of months outside the warranty it started up again. Citroen reset it again. After some 12 visits later by the AA, following the fitting a of new catalytic converter, engine coils and throttle pedal (costing over £1000) it is still doing it! Twice this week in fact. I drive major motorways every day and have to take my life into my own hands as the car is so unreliable. Like the dealership, Citroen head office have been useless. I cannot afford to replace the car either. I have a huge file of correspondence between Citroen and me, which has led nowhere. Save you money and buy something else!

Bought my pluriel in July 06 living in Torbay thought this would be great fun, how wrong I was. My car has been back to dealer 12 times with leaks over passanger window and boot, seats and boot starting to show signs of damage. senso drive had to be replaced in april. now hate the car!

The dealer offered part ex but offered me £1000 under book price.

Been in touch with trading standards, going to take there advise, sale of goods act.

If this was a hoover or tv etc, would have taken it back and demanded refund why can we not do that with these cars.

Citron are selling faulty goods they know there is a problem, What can we do

Linda torquay.