In mid-June 2026 Stellantis launched a global recall covering 142,708 vehicles across the Peugeot, Opel and Citroen brands. The cause is a software bug in the VSM (Vehicle Supervision Module) that can randomly deactivate interior door handles, trapping occupants inside the cabin. The recall is officially registered with the German KBA (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) and affects vehicles produced from late 2022 to early 2026. For owners in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a significant share of these models arrives via imports from Germany, Austria and other EU countries, this is information that calls for a prompt check.
Table of Contents
- What Is Happening With Interior Door Handles on Stellantis Vehicles
- Which Models and Model Years Are Affected
- How Serious Is the Locked Door Problem
- How to Check Whether Your Car Is on the List
- Where to Book a Free Repair in BiH
- What to Do While Waiting for Your Service Appointment
- Recall Context for the BiH Market
- How This Recall Differs From Other Stellantis Recalls
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
What Is Happening With Interior Door Handles on Stellantis Vehicles
The problem lies in the VSM software, an electronic module that oversees various vehicle systems including central locking and electric door-lock control. The VSM is a central unit that receives signals from door sensors, the key, locking switches and the infotainment system, then decides whether to engage or disengage the locks based on those signals. In affected vehicles a bug in the program code can cause the interior door-opening handles to be deactivated unexpectedly. Specifically, the software in certain situations incorrectly sends a signal that the doors are locked, even when they should be unlocked for occupants inside the vehicle.
The consequence is that the driver or a passenger pulls the interior handle, but the door does not open. This is not a mechanical lock fault or physical handle damage. The mechanism is perfectly functional. The problem is solely in the software that controls the electronic locks and at a given moment decides the handles must not operate.
The fault appears randomly. An owner can drive for weeks without any issue, and then at one point the handles simply deactivate. There is no pattern that would help the driver predict when it will happen. It is precisely this unpredictability that makes the problem more serious than it might seem at first glance.
Stellantis recall free software repair
The fix consists of a VSM module software update. An authorised service centre connects a diagnostic device to the vehicle and installs the corrected software version that eliminates the lock-control bug. The procedure is relatively quick and the owner pays nothing because it is a recall action at the manufacturer's expense. In some cases, for certain models, the manufacturer has announced the possibility of an OTA update (over the air, via the mobile network), but this is not available for all affected vehicles. The most reliable step is a direct visit to an authorised service centre.
Which Models and Model Years Are Affected
The recall covers three brands within the Stellantis group and a total of seven models. The figures break down as follows:
| Brand | Models | Number of vehicles | Production period | KBA reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peugeot | 308, 3008, 408, 5008 | 110,065 | 09.10.2023 - 12.02.2026 | 16644R |
| Opel | Astra, Grandland | 26,010 | 11.07.2023 - 04.07.2024 | 16647R |
| Citroen | C5 X | 6,633 | 14.12.2022 - 09.02.2026 | 16645R |
The grand total is 142,708 vehicles worldwide. The manufacturer recall codes are M4B (Peugeot), KWB (Opel) and GX2 (Citroen).
Peugeot models make up by far the largest share, with more than 110 thousand units. These are the current generations of these vehicles. The Peugeot 308 is one of the best-selling compacts in Europe, while the 3008 is Peugeot's top-selling SUV. The 408 is a fastback coupe that has been on the market since 2023, and the 5008 is a large family SUV. All these models share the same EMP2 platform with common electronic systems, which explains why the same software fault affects them all.
The Opel Astra and Grandland also sit on the EMP2 platform (the Astra L generation and the second-generation Grandland), placing them in the same group of affected vehicles. Opel's production window is somewhat shorter, ending in July 2024, which suggests that Opel applied the software patch in production earlier.
The Citroen C5 X has the smallest number of affected units because it is an upper-segment model with lower overall production. Nevertheless, its production window is the longest, starting in December 2022, meaning that even older examples of this model may be affected.
How Serious Is the Locked Door Problem
Being unable to open a door from the inside is a serious safety issue. Under normal circumstances drivers and passengers must be able to exit the vehicle at all times. Several scenarios make this fault potentially dangerous.
The first scenario is a road traffic accident. After a collision the doors may be the only way out of the vehicle. If the electronic locks are blocked by a software fault, occupants cannot get out on their own. Rescue crews would have to break the windows, costing precious time.
The second scenario involves children in the car. A parent steps out of the vehicle briefly, the child stays inside, and the software deactivates the handles. The child cannot get out, which is especially dangerous in summer heat when the cabin temperature rises extremely fast. The third scenario is fire or flooding. In both cases leaving the vehicle quickly is a matter of life and death, and a non-functional handle directly prevents that.
The manufacturer classifies the problem in the recall documentation as a high-priority safety risk, which is expected given the possible consequences. This is precisely why the recall is mandatory and free for all affected owners, regardless of the country in which the vehicle is registered.
How to open the door from the inside if the handle does not work
If you find yourself in a situation where the interior handle does not respond, there are several things you can try. First, try unlocking the doors by pressing the central locking button, either on the driver's door or on the remote key. In some cases manual unlocking can temporarily bypass the software block. Second, try switching off the engine, removing the key (or moving the smart key away from the vehicle), waiting about thirty seconds and then restarting the car. Restarting the electronic systems sometimes resets the VSM module as well. Third, if nothing helps, use the mechanical lock on the driver's door (a small tab or slider on the upper edge of the door panel) if your model has one. These are temporary solutions, not a substitute for the software update.
How to Check Whether Your Car Is on the List
The check is straightforward and does not require a visit to a service centre. You need your vehicle's chassis number (VIN). The VIN is a seventeen-character alphanumeric code found in several places: on a plate in the lower left corner of the windscreen (visible from outside), in the vehicle documents (registration certificate, insurance policy), on a sticker on the B-pillar (visible when you open the driver's door) and in the infotainment system settings on newer models.
Peugeot 308 door recall how to check VIN
With the VIN you can check the recall status in several ways. The fastest is direct contact with an authorised service centre or dealer in BiH. Give them the VIN and ask for a check on whether your vehicle is covered by recall reference 16644R (Peugeot), 16647R (Opel) or 16645R (Citroen), depending on your car's brand. Another method is to check via the manufacturer's official website, where most brands have a recall-check section by VIN.
It is important to note that even if you bought the car second-hand from abroad, the recall applies equally. The owner does not have to be the first buyer and does not need to have a warranty. Recall actions relate to the vehicle, not the owner, and are valid for the car's entire lifespan.
Where to Book a Free Repair in BiH
The free software update is carried out exclusively at authorised service centres. For each of the three affected brands the service network in BiH is as follows.
Peugeot has the widest network of authorised dealers and service centres in BiH. They are available in Sarajevo (AC Blok), Banja Luka (Verano Motors), Mostar (Croauto), Bijeljina, Brcko, Zenica (Beganovic Motors), Tuzla (Svjetlost) and Trebinje (AESystem). Contact details for each of these centres are available on the official Peugeot website for the BiH market.
Opel has authorised partners in BiH in Mostar (AC Boras) and Sarajevo (Opel Betanija). Citroen shares part of its sales and service network with Peugeot within the Stellantis group, so dealers representing Peugeot can as a rule also service Citroen vehicles. Still, it is advisable to contact the specific centre before booking an appointment to confirm they have the appropriate diagnostic software for your model.
The booking procedure is standard: contact an authorised service centre, provide the VIN, state that you are calling about a recall action for VSM software (quote the KBA reference for your brand) and arrange an appointment. The software update itself does not take long, usually completed within one working day, often in less than an hour. The cost is borne entirely by the manufacturer.
Opel Astra Grandland interior handle recall
For owners of the Opel Astra and Grandland in BiH the situation is identical. You need to contact an authorised Opel partner with the vehicle's VIN and book an appointment for the free update. Given that Opel's network in BiH is smaller than Peugeot's, appointment slots may be limited, so the recommendation is to get in touch as soon as possible. Alternatively, given the shared Stellantis platform, you can ask a Peugeot service centre whether they can perform the update on your Opel, although this is not guaranteed.
What to Do While Waiting for Your Service Appointment
The period between learning about the recall and the actual service appointment can last weeks, depending on the availability of the authorised centre and the number of vehicles waiting for the update. In the meantime there are several precautions you can take.
First, make sure you always have a glass-breaking tool (safety hammer) in the vehicle. This is an inexpensive measure that can make a difference in an emergency. Such a tool is generally a good idea for any car, regardless of the recall.
Second, teach yourself and everyone who drives or rides in your car where the mechanical unlock is located on the doors. On most affected models the driver's door has a physical mechanism (a tab or slider) that bypasses the electronics. On the rear doors this mechanism is not always present or is less accessible.
Third, if you notice the problem has already manifested (the handle has failed to respond once or more), treat it as an urgent matter. Contact the service centre again, state that you have an active symptom and request an earlier appointment. Do not wait for the scheduled date.
Fourth, avoid leaving children or elderly people alone in the vehicle. This is standard safety advice, but in the context of this recall it carries extra weight. Even briefly leaving someone in the car while you "pop into the shop" becomes risky if that person cannot open the door.
Citroen C5 X recall BiH 2026
For owners of the Citroen C5 X in BiH it should be emphasised that the production window of affected vehicles stretches the furthest back, to December 2022. This means that even older examples of this model, which may have already changed one or more owners, can be on the list. If you bought a second-hand C5 X imported in the last three years, check the VIN without delay.
Recall Context for the BiH Market
New-registration statistics for BiH for January 2026 show 22 new Peugeots, 19 Opels and 14 Citroens out of a total of 589 new passenger vehicles. Those numbers look small, but they do not give the full picture. A significant share of 2023-to-2026 model-year cars driving on BiH roads was not bought new. They arrived second-hand from Germany, Austria, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. It is precisely those imported vehicles that are likely the most numerous population of affected cars in BiH.
The reason is straightforward: these models sell in huge volumes in western Europe. The Peugeot 308 and 3008 are among the best-selling cars in France and Germany. The Opel Astra is a classic bestseller on the German market. When those vehicles start arriving on the BiH market as imports after two to three years of use, they bring with them any outstanding recalls. The new owner in BiH may never have received a recall notification because the notice was sent to the previous owner's address in Germany.
Another issue is that many used-car importers in BiH do not check for open recalls before selling. The focus is usually on technical condition, mileage, equipment and price. Recall status is rarely mentioned in the listing or during negotiations. This means an owner can drive a car with an open safety recall for years without being aware of it. Only when the problem manifests or the owner initiates a check does the information come to light.
That is why checking the VIN yourself is the only reliable way to find out whether your vehicle is affected. Do not rely on the assumption that "the previous owner surely sorted it out". Check for yourself.
How This Recall Differs From Other Stellantis Recalls
The Stellantis group has had several separate recall actions during 2025 and 2026. This recall for the VSM software and interior handles is entirely separate from the recall for the 1.5 BlueHDi engine and timing chain, which concerned a fire risk in certain diesel engines. Likewise, it has no connection with the Takata airbag recall affecting Opel or with the Takata recall for Citroen and DS. These are four different recalls with different causes, different affected models and different repairs. The only common thread is the Stellantis corporate umbrella.
If you drive a Stellantis vehicle, especially a newer model year, it is worth checking all four recalls. Your car may be affected by one, and it may equally be affected by more than one at the same time. Each recall has its own KBA reference and its own repair, and each is resolved separately at an authorised service centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my vehicle safe to drive while I wait for the repair?
The vehicle is technically roadworthy because the engine, brakes and steering all function normally. The door handle issue is sporadic and does not affect driving ability. However, there is a real risk that the doors cannot be opened from the inside in an emergency. We recommend keeping a glass-breaking safety hammer in the car and booking your appointment as soon as possible.
Is there a charge for this repair?
No. The software update is completely free of charge because it is part of an official recall. The manufacturer covers all costs. This applies regardless of whether you are the first owner, whether the vehicle was imported, or whether the warranty has expired.
How long does the repair take?
The VSM module software update itself usually takes less than an hour. The total time spent at the dealership may be slightly longer due to administrative processing and a possible diagnostic check after the update, but as a rule the job is completed the same day.
Does the recall also apply to imported vehicles?
Yes. The recall applies to the vehicle by VIN, not to the owner. Whether you bought the car new in BiH or imported it second-hand from Germany, if the VIN is on the list of affected vehicles you are entitled to a free repair at any authorised service centre.
Can I update the software myself without visiting a service centre?
For certain models Stellantis has announced the option of an OTA (over-the-air) update. However, this is not available for all affected vehicles and depends on the specific infotainment system configuration. The safest and most reliable method is a physical visit to an authorised service centre where the update is performed directly via a diagnostic device.
What if I have already noticed the handles not working properly?
If you have already experienced a situation where the interior handle did not respond, that is a clear symptom of the described fault. Contact an authorised service centre immediately and state that you have an active symptom. Request an urgent appointment because your vehicle is in a state where the problem has already manifested, unlike vehicles where the fault has not yet occurred.