The scandal broke out in 1992. The press echoed the numerous reliability issues encountered by the Peugeot 605 and Citroën XM. These two technical cousins, launched in 1989, embodied PSA's great ambitions in terms of high-end, and the least we can say is that technologically, they were largely at the level. Even their finish reached suitable standards in the category.
However, their development lasted too long. Thus, the 605 only took over from the 604 three years after the latter's disappearance, at a time when, moreover, the 505 which oversaw the Peugeot range, seemed very archaic. Especially in the face of Renault 25 whose success was undeniable. Affected by many reliability defects, it too, at its launch, was remarkably able to raise the bar and sell hundreds of thousands of copies. Much to the fury of the PSA pundits!
But these were also very close to their moneywhich is understandable since the group came close to bankruptcy in the early 1980s (the BX and 205 saved the group). But after seeing prototypes completed but not yet ready for industrialization, they would have demanded that we carry out manufacturing savingsparticularly on the side of the electrical harness. And that we accelerate the launch of the two models.
As a result, the XM and 605 were put on the market way too earlywhich resulted in cascading breakdowns, affecting every corner of the cars. If customers still tolerated this kind of disrespect at the beginning of the 1970s (luckily for the Citroën GS and CX!), things were very, very different at the end of the 1980s. And what was supposed to happen happened: in 1992, a huge recall was implemented, particularly for the 605, a rescue operation which has been widely talked about. The high-end SV24s went straight back to the factoryafter being collected from their owner.
Indeed, the Peugeot 605 was launched unfinished, video proof
As for the other versions, they were corrected in network and these videos show the extent of the repairs on the 605: obviously, this car was not finished when it was launched, since the “upgrades” mainly concern those details that have been refined over the last six month of developing a model… Amazing!
Indeed, the Peugeot 605 was launched unfinished, video proof
Indeed, the Peugeot 605 was launched unfinished, video proof
Despite these expensive campaigns the XM and 605 saw their careers sabotaged by the disastrous choices of PSA management. After the corrections, sales never recovered to their previous levels, which were flattering. The R25 has therefore never been worried! The reliability of the PSA cousins was also not not become impeccable…
Question: Has PSA, now integrated into Stellantis, finally carried out all necessary checks before the marketing of its new Puretech chain motor, combined with a uniquely designed Punch gearbox? Let’s hope so…
