The Stellantis 2026 recall covers around 700,000 vehicles produced between 2023 and 2026 with the 1.2-litre PureTech mild-hybrid engine. The reason is a risk of overheating and fire in the engine bay. The list of affected brands is broad - Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, DS and Lancia - which means that in BiH, where these brands are regularly imported and sold, there are quite a few vehicles that may need to be checked.
Table of Contents
- What Happened and How Many Vehicles Are in the Recall
- Which Models Are Covered by the Stellantis 2026 Recall
- What Exactly Is Wrong With the 1.2 PureTech 48V System
- How Dangerous Is the Risk Really
- How to Check if Your Car Is on the Stellantis Recall List
- What to Do if It Is - Procedure in BiH
- Symptoms That Precede the Failure
- What if the Car Is Out of Warranty or Was Privately Imported
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
What Happened and How Many Vehicles Are in the Recall
In March 2026, Stellantis launched a global recall for around 700,000 vehicles produced between 2023 and 2026 that use the 1.2-litre PureTech (internally EB2 Gen 3) petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system. The reason is a technical fault in the engine bay that, under certain conditions, can lead to overheating and fire. By the time of the announcement, Stellantis had recorded 36 reported incidents worldwide, 12 of which resulted in engine bay fires. No injuries have been reported.
Geographically, the recall is spread across Europe: in the United Kingdom it covers around 44,000 vehicles, in France 212,700, in Germany around 80,000. Although Stellantis does not publish figures by country outside the European Union, the geography itself guarantees that some of these vehicles also ended up in BiH, through imports from Germany, Italy and France, and through regular sales by authorised distributors. The tone of all reports is the same: the recall is preventive, the repair is quick and free of charge, but owners are urged to have the vehicle inspected at an authorised service centre as soon as possible.
Which Models Are Covered by the Stellantis 2026 Recall
The list is broad because the 1.2 PureTech with a BSG generator was Stellantis' leading choice for small and medium urban cars in recent years. All listed models are affected only in versions with the 48V hybrid system, not in pure petrol or diesel versions.
| Brand | Models on the recall list |
|---|---|
| Peugeot | 208, 2008, 308, 3008 |
| Citroën | C3, C3 Aircross, C4, C4 X, C5 Aircross |
| Opel / Vauxhall | Corsa, Astra, Mokka, Frontera |
| Fiat | 600, Grande Panda |
| Jeep | Avenger |
| Alfa Romeo | Junior |
| Lancia | Ypsilon |
| DS | DS3 Crossback, DS4 |
The model years are 2023, 2024, 2025 and early 2026. The exact production date range for any specific VIN is checked by the authorised service in Stellantis' internal system. If you drive one of the listed models bought new or used in the last three years, the first step is to check whether your particular vehicle is on the list. You do this by VIN number, not by model and year, because not all versions with the 1.2 engine are part of the recall - only those with the 48V hybrid package.
What Exactly Is Wrong With the 1.2 PureTech 48V System
The technical cause is relatively simple when translated into plain language. In the engine bay there is a 48V belt-starter-generator, or BSG for short. It is an electric motor mounted on the side of the engine and driven by a serpentine belt. It takes over the role of a classic alternator, but also helps with pulling away from a standstill and with the start-stop system, which gives the hybrid part of its fuel saving.
Above the BSG generator runs the gasoline particulate filter (GPF) pipe, which carries hot exhaust gases and is separated from the generator by a protective cover. The fault is that the gap between the pipe and the cover is not large enough, and the cover in its original design lets water through. In wet conditions (spray from the road, driving through puddles, driving in heavy rain or having the car washed), water can enter the space between the pipe and the generator. There it meets the high 48V voltage and, if moisture and the hot pipe coincide unluckily, electrical arcing, local overheating and ultimately a fire in the engine bay can occur.
The repair at an authorised service centre takes around 30 minutes. The mechanic replaces the BSG generator's protective cover with a more resistant model that seals better against water and checks the gap to the GPF pipe. If the gap is not within the allowed tolerance, the pipe is repositioned or replaced. The intervention is free and covered by the factory action, regardless of warranty status.
How Dangerous Is the Risk Really
The numbers in themselves are not large. Out of 700,000 vehicles, there are 36 reported incidents, 12 of which involved fire. That is fewer than one fire per 50,000 vehicles. To be clear: the risk is not negligible because an engine bay fire is still a fire, but it is also not a reason to panic, nor to stop driving until the repair is done. Stellantis does not advise owners to leave their vehicles at home.
The risk increases in three specific situations: driving through deeper-than-standard puddles or in heavy rain, pressure-washing the vehicle in town (especially if the jet hits the engine bay), and prolonged outdoor parking in rainy periods. In each of these situations, the owner of a vehicle on the recall list has reason to schedule an inspection before exposing the car to moisture again. Otherwise, in normal road conditions and dry weather, the vehicle still operates normally until the service appointment.
How to Check if Your Car Is on the Stellantis Recall List
The VIN number is the key. It is a unique 17-digit vehicle identifier and can be found in several places: in the registration document, on the plate in the engine bay, on the lower edge of the windscreen and in the vehicle's logbook. Without this number, no one can reliably tell you whether your particular vehicle is on the recall list.
How to Check the VIN for the Stellantis Recall
The procedure is almost the same for all brands. You call the authorised service for your brand (Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, DS or Lancia) and give them the VIN. The service centre enters it into Stellantis' internal system and within a minute knows whether the vehicle is affected by the recall, what the exact action number is, and whether the repair has already been performed earlier (the owner may not know if the car was bought used).
In BiH, unfortunately, there is no public database of affected VIN numbers as some other countries publish. Therefore, the only safe route is to contact the authorised distributor or service. If you do not know which service is authorised in Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Mostar or Tuzla for your brand, the first source is the official brand site for BiH (peugeot.ba, opel.ba and similar). Stellantis also has online VIN-check tools for most brands, useful if the car was imported and you have not yet established contact with a local service.
What to Do if It Is - Procedure in BiH
If the service confirms that the vehicle is on the list, the procedure is as follows:
- The service books you in for the first available slot, usually within a few days.
- You bring the vehicle in for inspection, leave the keys, and can usually wait at the service centre.
- The mechanic replaces the BSG generator's protective cover and checks the position of the GPF pipe. If the gap is out of tolerance, the pipe is repositioned on the spot.
- You receive a document confirming the work, which you keep with the service book.
- The whole intervention is free of charge. You pay nothing for parts, labour or diagnostics, regardless of the current warranty status.
Is the Recall Repair Free in BiH
Yes, the factory recall action is free globally, including in BiH. The authorised service in BiH is reimbursed for the costs through the regional distributor, but that is their internal process and you are not invoiced anything. If anyone asks you for money for a recall repair, that is not an authorised service or they have not understood the request properly. Ask for the official action document with a number; without it, you have no obligation to pay.
Symptoms That Precede the Failure
In most incidents, owners had no clear warning before the fire itself. That is part of the problem. The fault is not progressive like a worn-out alternator or a failing starter, where the car gradually shows signs of weakness. This fault is sudden, triggered by a momentary combination of moisture and voltage. Still, there are a few signs the owner can notice that should be reason for an immediate inspection.
Smells and Smoke From the Engine - When to Stop the Vehicle
- A burning smell from the engine bay, especially after driving through a puddle or after a wash
- A smell of burnt plastic or rubber
- Light smoke from under the bonnet after stopping
- An engine fault light that comes on shortly after driving in rain or after a wash
- Reduced power delivery or irregular operation of the start-stop system on the same drive
If you notice any of these on a vehicle with a 1.2 PureTech 48V engine, stop in a safe place, switch off the engine, open the bonnet and let the area air out. Do not continue driving. Call the service or a tow truck. If open smoke appears, keep away from the vehicle and call the fire brigade. We have written more about what smells in your car can mean in the guide to cabin smells.
If the BSG generator starts to weaken for other reasons, typical signs are slow ignition during start-stop, the system warning light on the dashboard, the engine entering "safe mode" where it runs only on petrol, and irregular regenerative braking. We have written more about the difference between the alternator and the battery in the guide to alternator and starter symptoms.
What if the Car Is Out of Warranty or Was Privately Imported
This is the point where owners in BiH most often worry. A privately imported vehicle still has the right to a recall repair, because the recall is tied to the VIN, not to the country of sale or the identity of the buyer. You go to any authorised service in BiH, give them the VIN, they enter it into Stellantis' system. If the VIN is on the list, they perform the repair free of charge. If the vehicle has already been repaired in Germany before import, the system will show this. Ask for written confirmation that the status is "recall completed" and keep it with the vehicle's documentation.
The same principle applies to vehicles outside the factory warranty and to used vehicles bought in BiH. The recall is not a warranty intervention in the classic sense, because it is activated independently of the warranty - the manufacturer acknowledges a factory fault and is obliged to fix it. A vehicle from 2023 that today is outside its two- or three-year warranty still has the right to the repair. If you bought a used car from a private seller, there is a chance that the previous owner has already had the work done or did not even know about it. Checking the VIN at an authorised service clears up both possibilities.
It is worth mentioning that this is not the first major Stellantis recall recently. In July 2025, the manufacturer launched a recall in Europe for 930,700 vehicles with the 1.5 BlueHDi diesel engine (Citroën C3 and C4, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, 2008 and 308, model years 2017-2023). If you drive a Stellantis vehicle from that period, it is useful to check the VIN periodically, because postal notifications in BiH often do not arrive in time. For regular maintenance outside the recall, electronic diagnostics and an engine bay inspection, contact us or book an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the recall also cover pure petrol 1.2 PureTech engines without the hybrid?
No. The recall applies exclusively to versions with the 48V mild-hybrid system and the BSG generator. Classic 1.2 PureTech versions without the hybrid are not on the list and have a different engine bay layout.
What if I have already driven through several heavy rains before learning about the recall?
Driving through rain alone has not caused the failure. If the vehicle is running normally and there is no burning smell, you have probably been lucky that the unfavourable circumstances did not coincide. Even so, sign up for an inspection as soon as possible, because the risk remains until the protective cover is replaced.
Can I have the repair done at an independent service instead of an authorised one?
Technically yes, but only the authorised service has access to the original improved cover and the documentation needed to record the work in the system. Since the intervention is free in the authorised network, there is no reason to go elsewhere.
If the vehicle catches fire, does insurance cover the damage?
Comprehensive (kasko) insurance usually covers fire damage regardless of the cause. After payout, the insurer can seek recourse from the manufacturer because this is an acknowledged factory fault. Check the details with your insurer.
Does this recall affect the car's value on the used vehicle market?
In the short term it may affect the perception of the model, but since the repair is quick and free, completed work is not considered a defect of the vehicle. On the contrary, the document confirming the recall has been carried out shows that the factory fault has been remedied.
If my car is registered in Germany but I drive it occasionally in BiH, where should I have the repair done?
You can choose anywhere in the Stellantis authorised network in Europe, including BiH. The service in BiH will recognise the VIN and process the recall free of charge.