“When I bought this car, I was happy, I told myself that it would last me at least ten years. But today I was devastated, financially and psychologically. » Since she bought her Peugeot 3008 in April 2019, the life of Delphine, a resident of Auzouer-en-Touraine, has been turned upside down. She who had invested her savings in a new car, “to buy me peace”finds himself in financial difficulty. At issue: the 1.5 BlueHDi diesel engine of his vehicle.
For Delphine as for many other owners of these vehicles, “It started with a noise I heard under the hood, with some gears cracking. The garage found nothing, despite several visits. »
More than 5,000 euros in costs in eighteen months
Finally, it is the 7mm timing chain that needs to be changed. Cost of the operation: more than €4,000. Even if Peugeot covered 60% of the costs, it must pay more than €1,800. “But the chain that was put back was the same model as the one that had failed”sighs Delphine.
Eighteen months later, fate strikes again. “I was on the highway, heading towards Paris, to go see a PSG match with my son. It was his dream. But suddenly, as I was overtaking, the car started to decelerate, all the lights came on, while the cars next to it continued to drive fast. I was scared of my life. »
This time, the breakdown is more serious. By breaking, the chain damaged the engine block, which had to be replaced. All for the sum of €3,420 (the rest being covered by Peugeot). “The car had to be parked for two months and I can’t sell it. Fortunately, I have a child who has a car. As I work nights, I was able to borrow from him to go to work. Otherwise, I don't know how I would have done it. »
In total, more than €5,000 in costs fell on him in a year and a half. “I had to borrow money from my sonexplains Delphine, moved. It touched me a lot. It's not normal, it should be him to borrow money from me. Now I'm paying it back as best I can, but that means no Christmas. As I couldn't afford a vacation, it was my son who invited me to take my mind off things. I just think about it, I can't lift my head. Even today, as soon as I start my car, I listen, I'm afraid of hearing another noise. »
“It wasn’t me who had bad luck”
Coming across an article from The New Republicshe learns that she is far from being the only one in this situation. A Facebook group, joined by more than 8,000 people, was created to bring together as many victims' testimonies as possible. “I realized that it wasn't me who had the bad luck, but that there was a problem with these engines. I'm sad this happened to other people, but it's good to know I'm not alone. »
She now hopes that a group action will be launched in order to recognize the harm that she and many other owners have suffered.
Hundreds of thousands of vehicles affected
Produced between December 2017 and February 2023, the 1.5 BlueHDi engines from the Stellantis group are present in more than 700,000 vehicles in France, mainly in Peugeot and Citroën vehicles. Questioned by TF1 in November 2024, the Stellantis group acknowledges that “malfunctions or warnings, such as mechanical noises, may occur […]which can increase the risk of engine damage. »
