Citroen recalls DS4, C4 over defective bonnet support

FRENCH car-maker Citroen has issued recalls for 1494 examples of its C4 and DS4 hatchbacks over a fault that can cause the bonnet to open without warning.

The recall affects vehicles produced between June 2011 and July 2015, and is due to potential corrosion of the striker wire on the bonnet support.

If the wire is corroded and the bonnet striker is compromised, it may cause the bonnet to release unexpectedly and fly open, greatly increasing the chance of an accident.

Citroen Australia has said it will contact all known owners by mail to arrange for their vehicle to be booked in at a preferred authorised dealer for inspection and repair if needed, free of charge.

The recall affects models with vehicle identification numbers (VINs) between VF7NCHNYTFY529621 and VF7NX9HR8CY622266. The full VIN list is available to view at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Product Safety Australia website.

It is the second time in as many weeks that Citroen has issued a recall for the C4, with the previous notice announcing that the wishbone bolts in the front suspension may not be to the correct specification, leading to failure and a loss of steering control.

The model was updated in August 2015 but is now in runout after the car-maker ceased imports last year.

The DS4, which is now sold under its own DS off-shoot brand, was replaced in April last year with a jacked-up crossover version called the DS4 Crossback.